Annual Financial Report to 31 December 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 April 2009
LONDON & ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES PLC:
See www.lap.co.uk for the Annual Report to 31 December 2008
FINAL RESULTS FOR YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2008
London & Associated Properties is a fully listed UK shopping centre and Central London retail
property specialist. The company owns and manages £244m of retail investments
HIGHLIGHTS
• Wholly-owned retail investment portfolio performed well in difficult market,
valued at £218.5m reflecting a decline of 13.2% - less than half the decline across
the real estate sector.
• Outperformance attributed in part in part to well-timed development programme –
completed ahead of current market conditions
• £140m of sales completed between 2006 and 2008 at “top of market†prices
• Total annualised rent roll rose 27% to £17.3m from £13.6m
• Minimal impact from retail sector insolvencies with only £0.6m a year of the rent
roll becoming non-income producing
• “Management adjusted†net assets stood at £54.4m against £88.0m in 2007.
(IFRS: £40.3m against £89.0m in 2007).
• “Management adjusted†net assets per share stood at 71.2p against 115.5p in 2007.
(IFRS: 52.7p against 116.9p in 2007).
• Final recommended payment to shareholders of 1.2p comprising 0.4p in cash and 0.8p
in bonus shares – an equivalent nominal amount equal to 1.95p – consistent with the 26 year
record of increasing or holding the dividend.
• £8.8m invested in developing existing portfolio – generating £0.5m in annualised
incremental rents
“I am particularly encouraged that our property valuations exceeded industry benchmarks.
I am also content that we have made significant progress in improving and managing our
property portfolio, and this is part of the reason that so far we appear to have avoided
the worst of the tenant defaults within the retail sector,†John Heller, Chief Executive.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
In future years 2008 may well be seen by historians as the beginning of one of
the harshest economic periods in history. Within this crisis, one of the
hardest hit areas has been commercial property, where an imbalance between a
high number of sellers, often in distressed situations, and an extremely low
level of buyers caused values to collapse. This collapse has been across all
sectors and has affected all property investors, including LAP.
As at 31st December 2008, our property portfolio was valued at £218.5m, a drop
of 13.2% on a like-for-like basis. While this is a significant reduction in
value, it nevertheless compares favourably with the Investment Property
Databank (IPD), the property market benchmark, which showed retail property
capital values fell by some 28% during 2008. Our relative outperformance can
be attributed to a number of factors:
Firstly, it is now becoming increasingly clear that our recent development
programme was well-timed as it was completed prior to the current economic
difficulties. A number of our centres are now benefiting from significant
increases in income as the tenants to whom we pre-let units before development
commenced have started paying rent. This increase in income has provided a
cushion and helped to limit the fall in the value of our properties.
Secondly, between 2006 and 2008, we sold approximately £140m of properties at
prices which can now be seen to be the top of the market. These disposals were
from the more secondary end of our portfolio, the retail property sector that
has faced the steepest decline. Additionally we disposed of Chenil House,
King's Road, in July 2008 for £14.9m. This reflected our desire to move away
from developments that were not pre-let as we predicted correctly the onset of
the fall in values of residential property.
Finally, we have upgraded the quality of our portfolio over the last few
years. 56% by value of our holdings is in prime locations within London and
the South East, and additionally the quality of our tenants has never been
higher. Our top 52 tenants account for approximately 75% of our income, and
all
are household names. While in these difficult times this does not provide the
same level of comfort that it used to, we feel relatively confident that we
should experience more limited tenant default.
During December and since the year-end, only 11 tenants have gone into some
form of insolvency. In total, those units that became non-income producing
accounted for £0.6m per year out of our total annualised rent roll of £17.3m,
representing less than 3.5%. This figure is heavily skewed by the loss of
Zavvi at Orchard Square, our shopping centre in Sheffield, who were paying
£368,000 per annum. Zavvi occupied a flagship store and we quickly received
three offers, all from national retailers, at levels in excess of the previous
rent passing. This unit is now under offer to a leading fashion retailer, and
we will complete soon.
We currently have units under offer with a rental income approaching £0.5m per
annum. Once these units in the LAP portfolio are let, total vacant units other
than those that are deliberately held empty for redevelopment will account for
just £0.3m per annum of additional rental income.
Naturally, our net assets have been adversely affected by the write-down of
our property. On a management adjusted accounting basis, which excludes
certain fair value adjustments, our net assets are £54.4m compared to £88.0m
for 2007, and our net assets per share are 71p (2007:115p). These numbers are
shown in more detail in the Finance Director's Report. The non cash
adjustments required under IFRS relating to interest rate hedges produce
results that do not reflect the board's view of the underlying value of the
group or the prudent manner in which the business has been managed, notably in
minimising the impact of interest rate volatility. Applying this hedging
adjustment to the IFRS accounts has resulted in a further £14.1m being
deducted from our net assets. Last year, the same interest rate swaps were
valued at a surplus of £1.0m, an adverse swing of some £15.1m. Net assets
under IFRS as a result stand at £40.3m compared to £89.0m at the end of 2007,
while net assets per share are 52.7p (2007: 116.9p).
In support of its view that this adjustment is unrealistic, the Board has
noted that if the hedge had been valued on the same basis as at 7 April 2009
this would have resulted in an adjustment of £8.4m, a positive swing of £5.7m
in the space of three months.
It is important to note that £70.0m, or 43% of our loans, are non-recourse to
the Group's balance sheet. Crucially, we remain within our banking covenants.
Notwithstanding the valuation reduction, which was industry-wide, we performed
well in 2008. Annual revenue rose 27% to £16.5m from £13.0m. This reflects, in
part, the full consolidation of Analytical Properties following our
acquisition in September 2007 from Bank of Scotland of the 50% of the equity
that we did not previously own. Rental income also rose following the
completion of new retail units in Sheffield which now generate £0.9m per
annum. There were also key lettings elsewhere in the portfolio and we received
full contributions from our recent acquisitions in Chesterfield and Solihull.
The Chief Executive's Review provides fuller details.
On a management adjusted basis (as detailed in the Finance Director's Report),
we made a small loss in 2008 of £1.0m (2007: £0.5m profit). This loss
principally reflects the fact that we have held empty a number of units for
redevelopment. As stated above, our development programme has been well
timed and is now mostly completed, although we are still intending to develop
two further properties in Islington and Chelsea. Both properties have been
pre-let to excellent covenants.
Our developments in 2008 were all funded from existing cash resources. We will
also fund the future works at Islington and Chelsea from cash resources.
In this constrained market, we will defer certain developments that are still
at an early stage. These include a residential-led scheme at Brixton Village,
which was reappraised following the fall in residential values and the lack of
likely joint venture partners from within the housebuilding industry.
Associated costs of £0.2m have been written-off through the income statement.
Under IFRS total property expenses include £0.6m of pre-development costs
which have been written off in the year.
The Board feels that in the current economic conditions it is imperative that
the Group maximises its financial flexibility, including conserving cash
wherever appropriate. The Board is therefore recommending an amount equivalent
to a final dividend for 2008 of 1.2p per ordinary share. This will be
satisfied by paying 0.4p per ordinary share by way of a cash dividend and by
issuing new ordinary shares to existing shareholders with a value equal to
0.8p per ordinary share. This results in a total for 2008 of an equivalent
nominal amount equal to 1.95p per ordinary share and is consistent with our 26
year record of increasing or holding our dividend. Subject to shareholder
approval, the cash dividend will be paid on 3 July 2009 to shareholders on the
register at the close of business on 5 June 2009 and the issue of shares will
take effect on 3 July 2009 to shareholders registered at the close of business
on 5 June 2009.
Total assets under management, including those of Bisichi Mining Plc, our
associate company, and Dragon Retail Properties, our joint venture with
Bisichi, stood at £244m at the year end.
Bisichi had a very successful year and generated trading profits of £6.0m
before the write-down of its property portfolio. Net of the write-down,
Bisichi's profits were £2.1m.
Our performance in 2008 has been satisfactory given the rapid deterioration of
the property investment market. I am particularly encouraged that our property
valuations exceeded industry benchmarks. I am also content that we have made
significant progress in improving and managing our property portfolio, and
this is part of the reason that so far we appear to have avoided the worst of
the tenant defaults within the retail sector.
There seems to be a polarisation within the property investment market between
prime properties, where there are some early indications of a return of
investor appetite, and the remainder of the market which has yet to find
investor support. We expect these trends to continue and that the quality of
our portfolio should mitigate the effects of this market correction.
Michael Heller
Chairman
17 April 2009
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
2008 was a very difficult year for the UK property investment market during
which capital values declined across the board by 27.1% in aggregate. Retail
property values were down by 28.0% caused by reduced consumer spending, a lack
of available funds due to the banking crisis and investor fears over tenant
default.
We can take considerable comfort from the fact that LAP's portfolio fell by
just 13.2% over this period. This can be attributed in part to our successful
strategy over the last few years of selling mature and more secondary
properties into what was an unsustainably strong market. We reinvested the
proceeds into high quality, well located property as well as into improvements
to our core portfolio. Few disposals are likely in the coming months, although
we do not rule out the possibility of certain targeted sales where we are able
to take advantage of opportunities and relatively strong investor demand.
As a result of the quality of our portfolio and the continued drive to upgrade
it through selective development, our valuations have held up relatively well.
The decision to focus our portfolio more towards central London and the South
East has also been beneficial. We believe this market will retain value better
than elsewhere in the UK, particularly in the more prime areas, as
international buyers
are still looking to invest in one of the world's most important capital
cities. This trend has been reinforced by the substantial decline
of sterling over the last 18 months.
We have also invested some £8.8m into developing our existing portfolio, and
this has generated annual incremental rental flows of £0.5m to date. This also
strengthens our cash flow and extends the average lease term of our tenants.
Our strategy of investing in quality property means we have suffered limited
tenant defaults. In total, tenants accounting for annual rental income of
£0.8m suffered some form of insolvency from the fourth quarter of 2008 until
now. Of this total, tenants vacating their units and leaving us with non
income-producing space amounted to £0.6m per annum. Zavvi, the largest single
one of these tenants, accounted for £368,000 per annum. This space is now
under offer at a higher rent than had previously been passing, and we have a
total of approximately £0.5m per annum under offer. Once these lettings
complete our voids, not including those units held for redevelopment will
stand at 1.7% of our total rent roll of £17.3m.
Cash collection from our tenants in December 2008 and March 2009 has remained
as strong as ever. We collected in excess of 95% of all rent, service charge
and other sums due within 14 days of each quarter day.
The economic and financial environment declined sharply at the end of 2008.
Notwithstanding this, we successfully completed a number of new leases, lease
renewals and rent reviews during the year. These amounted to a net £0.9m per
annum.
Windsor
Our development at King Edward Court, Windsor, undertaken in 2006, continues
to underpin the strong performance of this centre. Further lettings were
achieved which generated £0.3m per annum. The centre agreed net incremental
rents during 2008 of £0.1m after taking into account the two voids accounting
for £0.2m that occurred when Officers Club and Barratts both went into
administration and vacated their units. Our agents are currently marketing the
vacant units and report encouraging interest in them. We are confident of
maintaining a strong tenant mix at this centre, which we believe to be an
important factor in its continued long term performance.
New tenants to King Edward Court in 2008 include Benefit, an international
cosmetics retailer, which has taken a unit opposite the redeveloped shops at
£50,000 per annum. This letting shows a zone A level of £115 per sq. ft.
Income from the car park has also increased and now stands at approximately
£2.0m per annum. This compares favourably with £1.2m per annum two years ago
and reflects both the increases in price that we have been able to implement
and increased usage following the upgrading of the centre.
Sheffield
Orchard Square has been dramatically transformed over the last few years, and
2008 was probably its most successful year to date. The principal development
was the creation of a new flagship 45,000 sq. ft. store for TK Maxx which
anchors the rear of the centre. TK Maxx took possession of the unit in August
and they have informed us that this unit has performed at the very top of
their expectations and is one of the company's best performing stores in the
UK.
Total costs for the construction were approximately £5.0m, and the incremental
rent of this unit is some £0.4m per annum.
Elsewhere in the centre, we completed the extension of four shop units. These
units were "shaded" by the River Island unit, and they have now become much
more prominent. Three of the four units were pre-let to Starbucks, Evans and
Blue Banana, while the fourth was subsequently let to La Coupe Hairdressers at
a record Zone A rent for the centre of £91 per sq. ft. The fact that this
letting took place right at the end of the year, in the midst of what is now
known to be the worst lettings market during the economic crisis to date,
underscores the strength of demand for space in this centre.
We suffered our biggest single tenant default at Orchard Square when Zavvi
went into administration at the end of December, although it traded there on
full rent until mid-February. I am pleased to report that we quickly received
three offers on this unit, all from leading fashion retailers. The unit is
currently under offer at a rent in excess of the previous passing rent. We
have agreed to give the incoming tenant an incentive package equivalent to 18
months of rent. Given that most retailers who are currently looking for larger
stores are demanding substantially lower rents than those previously passing,
and incentive packages of up to three years rent, we consider that this again
shows the strength of Orchard Square.
Once this unit is let, some £1.7m per annum out of the centre's total annual
rent of £2.8m will be produced by the three anchor tenants, all of whom are
successful established retailers with excellent covenants.
The London Portfolio
The London Portfolio continues to perform well and we have achieved a number
of notable successes.
We previously reported to shareholders that we sold Chenil House on King's
Road, Chelsea for £14.9m in July last year. The market has now shown that this
disposal was particularly well timed and we no longer have exposure to the
weakening high-end residential development market.
At The Mall, Islington, we successfully appealed a refusal by Islington
Council to grant listed building consent. We had applied to replace the ground
floor slab and to remove kiosks at ground floor level. The Planning Inspector
has allowed the works to proceed and we were awarded costs. This decision came
after the end of 2008 and has therefore not been reflected in our valuations.
The ground and basement are pre-let to Jack Wills, the fashion retailer, at
£275,000 per annum. This part of The Mall formerly produced a net £100,000 per
annum. The cost of the works is anticipated to be around £1.0m, which will be
funded from our existing resources.
At Antiquarius on King's Road, Chelsea, we have exchanged an agreement for the
lease of the entire building with Anthropologie, one of the brands owned by
Urban Outfitters Inc, at a rent of £1.1m per annum. This compares with an
estimated net income of approximately £0.5m from Antiquarius in its current
form. The anticipated costs of these works are approximately £2.0m, which will
also be funded from our existing cash balances.
We have applied for the requisite listed building and freeholder consents. We
are confident that we should receive both consents and will notify
shareholders once they are obtained.
We have recently taken the decision to not proceed with a proposed
redevelopment of Brixton Village, one of our two indoor markets in Brixton.
This development would have created several blocks of flats and reinstated the
market on the ground floor at completion. This decision is a consequence of
the sharp fall in residential values, which we do not foresee improving
sufficiently to make this project viable for some time. We are exploring a
number of different ways to improve revenues at Brixton Village.
Market Row, our other investment in Brixton, has performed well in 2008 and is
fully let. We believe that this market will continue to trade well in the
current climate as shoppers look for good value and diverse ranges of products
on offer.
Elsewhere, our portfolio continues to perform well in the current climate.
Analytical Ventures
This joint venture was established with Bank of Scotland, now Lloyds Banking
Group, in March 2008 to acquire prime retail properties. So far, it has
acquired Westgate House in Halifax, for which it paid £10.5m in July 2008. The
ground floor shops are now fully let following the completion of the last
remaining letting to William Hill at £45,000 per annum. The tenants at this
property have strong covenants, and we are confident that this property will
continue to perform well.
Outlook
Most commentators agree that 2009 is unlikely to witness a strong recovery in
either the economy or the property market. We also remain cautious about the
outlook and will continue to intensively manage our portfolio. Our successful
strategy of focusing on prime locations and high quality tenants will continue
to reap rewards for us. We believe that the quality of our asset base will be
at the forefront of any market recovery. In addition, the further incremental
rents we are generating from our remaining pre-let developments will stand us
in good stead.
John Heller
Chief executive
17 April 2009
FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The exceptionally challenging conditions in the second half of 2008 have
continued into the current year. We have always managed the group on a prudent
cash flow basis and this remains the case today.
This strategy has placed us in a strong position to cope with the difficult
conditions, and is more relevant than ever in the current environment. Even in
these difficult trading conditions we have met our loan covenants.
Due to the relatively long term nature of our financing, none of the Group's
term loans expire for some time. The first loan that will require refinancing
is our Revolving Credit Facility with Royal Bank of Scotland which expires in
August 2011.
Cash Flow
The group remains in a satisfactory financial position and currently has some
£25.9m of unencumbered cash and undrawn facilities.
During the year we sold Chenil House, Kings Road, London for £14.9m and a
retail property in Bradford for £1.5m. The proceeds were used to pay down our
Revolving Credit Facility, which is now £69.4m drawn against a peak of £83.6m
during the year, and to boost our cash resources.
The group completed major developments in 2008 at our centre in Sheffield
where some £5.3m was spent building a new 45,000 sq. ft. store for TK Maxx and
extending four other units. These are discussed in the Chief Executive's
report. In accordance with our normal practice, these developments were only
undertaken once the majority of the space was pre-let.
Further works are planned for 2009 at The Mall, Islington where we will build
a new store for Jack Wills, the fashion retailer, and potentially at
Antiquarius where we intend to develop a new store for the American chain
Anthropologie, subject to obtaining the necessary consents. The anticipated
cost of these works is around £3.0m, and will be funded from our cash
resources. Once completed the two units will produce an annual income of
£1.4m, an incremental rent of £0.7m.
Income Statement
The group's loss before tax as reported under IFRS was £57.3m (2007: £23.9m).
This figure is arrived at after deducting the fall in value
of the property portfolio and a number of other non-cash items. These
adjustments are required under IFRS accounting standards and they lead to
significant volatility in the reporting of our results. However, the
underlying performance of the group, on a management adjusted basis to reflect
operations more clearly, was as shown in the table below.
The cash items loss of £1.0m has for the most part been caused by deliberately
holding vacant a number of units in order to carry
out development and the writing off to the income statement of certain costs
that related to the early stages of some redevelopments. Most of these were
completed during the year and are now income producing. Once our last
remaining pre-let development activities are concluded, the group will on
current forecasts be cash positive for the foreseeable future.
The average cost of debt has remained at 6.1% for the year. This is because we
took out a series of interest rate swaps to fix the cost
of debt going forward. These swaps are still in place and provide certainty of
interest payments over a long period irrespective
of the current rate prevailing.
The current tax charge for 2008 is £0.5m. With a deferred tax recovery of
£10.3m, this has resulted in total tax credit for the year of £9.8m.
2008 2007
Per Per
Cash Non-cash income Cash Non-cash income
items items statement items items statement
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Net rental income 8,958 - 8,958 5,577 - 5,577
Income and gains on
investments held for trading 298 - 298 144 - 144
Cost of evaluation and goodwill - - - (339) (173) (512)
Profit on sale of investment properties 897 - 897 2,295 - 2,295
Net decrease on revaluation of
investment properties - (33,125) (33,125) - (25,208) (25,208)
Net decrease in value of
investments held for trading - (1,530) (1,530) - (16) (16)
Operating profit/(loss) 10,153 (34,655) (24,502) 7,677 (25,397) (17,720)
Share of joint ventures and
associates 131 (547) (416) 109 1,015 1,124
Interest rate derivative - (21,063) (21,063) - - -
Net interest (11,285) - (11,285) (7,291) - (7,291)
(Loss)/profit before taxation (1,001) (56,265) (57,266) 495 (24,382) (23,887)
Balance Sheet
The overall property portfolio, including the properties owned by Bisichi
Mining plc, Dragon Retail Properties and Analytical Ventures, was £243.7m.
On a like-for-like basis this shows a fall of 13.3% for the year.
The valuation of the interest rate swaps has been calculated on the basis of
the net present value of the additional cost of interest payable over the
terms of the hedging arrangement against the prevailing rates as at 31
December 2008. The Directors consider this to be the most appropriate method
for calculating the value of these products.
There is no independent market for our swap instruments which we could use to
provide a realistic independent valuation. Whilst this calculation shows a
substantial liability on the balance sheet at the year end, several points
should be noted:
- the group has taken the swaps out in order to manage the business in a
prudent manner going forward so that our cost of funds are a known amount;
- we do not intend to cash in the swap for the foreseeable future; and
- since taking out the derivatives the group has saved some £1.5m in interest
payments up to the end of March 2009,
Our underlying net assets on a management adjusted basis were as shown in the
tables below:
2008
Mark-to-
market of
Deferred interest Head Adjusted
Per IFRS tax swaps leases net assets
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Investment properties 245,770 (27,238) 218,532
Other fixed assets 2,722 2,722
Investments in associate and
joint ventures 8,360 8,360
Other net assets 810 810
Other non-current
liabilities (49,662) (5,493) 19,616 27,238 (8,301)
Net debt (167,694) (167,694)
Net assets 40,306 (5,493) 19,616 - 54,429
Adjusted NAV per share 71.2p
2007
Investment properties 279,747 (31,671) 248,076
Other fixed assets 886 886
Investments in associate and
joint ventures 8,282 8,282
Other net assets 13,934 (1,447) 12,487
Other non-current
liabilities (44,742) 446 31,671 (12,625)
Net debt (169,116) (169,116)
Net assets 88,991 446 (1,447) - 87,990
Adjusted NAV per share 115.5p
Should interest rates rise again in the future we will be protected against
volatility, and the swaps would be shown in our balance sheet with a positive
value. The volatility of the interest rates is clearly demonstrated in that if
these hedges were revalued as at the 7 April 2009 the liability before
deferred taxation relief would be £11.6m against £19.6m at 31 December 2008.
It remains our policy not to repay the debt early and to maintain the interest
rate protection.
Under IFRS there was a write down of the property portfolio of £33.1m, and a
revaluation of our interest rate swaps in light of current low interest rates,
of £15.1m. As a result, the net assets of the group are now calculated at
£40.3m (2007: £89.0m).
Accounting judgments
The most significant judgements made in preparing these accounts relate to the
carrying value of the properties, investments and hedges which are stated at
open market value. The Group uses external professional valuers to determine
the values of our properties.
Based on the judgements used to prepare the accounts, the Directors also
reviewed the cash flow forecasts of Group and the underlying assumptions on
which they are based. They are satisfied that there are sufficient resources
for the Group to continue to trade over the foreseeable future.
Dividends
In order to preserve cash in the business the company is proposing an amount
equivalent to a final dividend of 1.2p. This makes a total for the year of
1.95p per share - an equivalent amount to the total dividend for 2007. This is
to be made up of 0.4p per share in cash and 0.8p per share as a bonus share
issue. This will save the company some £0.6m of cash.
Our associated company Bisichi, in which we hold a 41.7% stake, had a strong
year and produced profits of £2.1m. This figure is after a revaluation deficit
under IFRS of £3.9m. Of Bisichi's trading profit of £6.0m, £5.2m was earned in
the second half of the year.
I feel confident that the policy of prudently managing the Group's cash
resources will benefit us as we go through this period of uncertainty.
Robert Corry
Finance Director
17 April 2009
DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
*Michael A Heller ma fca (Chairman)
John A Heller llb mba (Chief executive)
Robert J Corry ba fca (Finance Director)
Michael C Stevens fca
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
†Howard D Goldring bsc (econ) aca
Howard Goldring has been a member of the board since July 1992 and is a global
asset allocation specialist. He is chairman of Delmore Asset Management Limited
which manages investment portfolios and provides global asset allocation advice to
private clients, family offices and pension funds. From 1997-2003 he was consultant director on
global asset allocation to Liverpool Victoria Asset Management Limited.
#†Clive A Parritt fca cf fiia
Clive A Parritt joined the board on 1 January 2006. He is a chartered
accountant with over 30 years experience of providing strategic, financial and
commercial advice to businesses. He is chairman of Barronsmead VCT 2 plc and BG
Consulting Group Limited as well as a non-executive director of F&C US Smaller
Companies plc. He is also a member of the Council and Board of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He is chairman of the audit
committee and as Senior Independent Director he chairs the Nomination and
Remuneration Committees.
* Member of the nomination committee
# Senior independent director
†Member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees
Secretary & registered office
Michael C Stevens FCA
Carlton House, 22a St James's Square
London SW1Y 4JH
Director of property
Mike J Dignan FRICS
Auditor
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP
Principal bankers
HSBC Bank PLC
Lloyds Banking Group PLC
National Westminster Bank PLC
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
Solicitors
Olswang
Pinsent Masons LLP
Stockbroker
Oriel Securities Limited
Registrars & transfer office
Capita Registrars,
Northern House
Woodsome Park
Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield
W.Yorkshire
HD8 0LA
Telephone 0871 664 0300
(Calls cost 10p per minute + network extras)
or +44 208 639 3399 for overseas callers
Website: www.capitaregistrars.com
Email: ssd@capitaregistrars.com
Company registration number
341829 (England and Wales)
Website
www.lap.co.uk
E-mail
admin@lap.co.uk
DIRECTORS' REPORT
The directors submit their report and the audited accounts, for the year ended
31 December 2008.
Activities
The principal activities of the group during the year were property investment
and development, as well as investment in joint ventures and an associated
company. The associated company is Bisichi Mining PLC in which the company
holds a 42 per cent interest. Bisichi Mining PLC is listed on the London Stock
Exchange and operates in England and South Africa with subsidiaries which are
involved in overseas mining and mining investment.
Business Review
Review of the group's development
and performance
The Chairman's Statement, Chief Executive's Report and Finance Director's
Report on the preceding pages 2 to 19 provide a comprehensive review and
assessment of the group's activities during the year as well as its position at
the year end and prospects for the forthcoming year.
Property activities
The group is a long-term investor in property. It acquires retail properties,
actively manages those assets to improve rental income and thus enhance the
value of its properties over time. In reviewing performance, the principal
areas regularly monitored by the group include:
• Rental income - the aim of the group is to maximise the maintainable income
from each property by careful tenant management supported by sympathetic and
revenue enhancing development. Income may be affected adversely by the
inability of tenants to pay their rent. Rent collection and tenant quality are
monitored carefully. This risk is minimised as a result of the diversified
tenant base, which should limit the impact of the failure of any individual
tenant.
• Cash flow - allowing for voids, acquisitions, development expenditure,disposals and the impact of operating costs and interest charges, the group
aims to maintain a positive cash flow taking one year with another.
• Financing costs - the exposure of the group to interest rate movements is
managed by the use of swap arrangements (see note 18 for full
details of the contracts in place). These swap arrangements are designed to
ensure that our interest costs are fixed and always covered by anticipated
rental income. Once put in place we intend that such swaps are generally
retained until maturity. Details of key estimates adopted are contained in the
accounting policies note.
• Property valuations - market sentiment and economic conditions have a direct
effect on property valuations, which therefore can vary significantly (upwards
or downwards) over time. Bearing in mind the long-term nature of the group's
business, valuation changes have little direct effect on the ongoing activities
or the income and expenditure of the group. Tenants generally have long-term
leases, so rents are unaffected by short-term valuation changes. Borrowings are
secured against property values and if those values fall very significantly,
this could limit the ability of the group to develop the business using
external borrowings. The risk is minimised by trying to ensure that there is
adequate cover to allow for fluctuations in value on a short-term basis.
It continues to be the policy of the group to realise property assets when the
valuation of those assets reaches a level at which the directors consider that
the long-term rental yield has been reached. The group also seeks to acquire
additional property investments on an opportunistic basis when the potential
rental yields offer scope for future growth.
Investment activities
The investments in joint ventures and the associate are for the long term.
The group is an investor in the associate and manages the UK property assets of
the associate. However the principal activity of the associate is overseas
mining investment (principally in South Africa). The investment is held to
generate income and capital growth over the longer term. The other listed
investments are held as current assets to provide the liquidity needed to
support the property activities while generating income and capital growth.
Investments in property are made through joint ventures when the financing and
spreading of risk make it desirable.
Corporate responsibility
Environment
The group's principal UK activity is property investment providing premises
which are rented to retail businesses. We seek to provide those tenants with
good quality premises from which they can operate in an efficient and
environmentally friendly manner. Wherever possible, improvements, repairs and
replacements are made in an environmentally efficient manner and waste
re-cycling arrangements are in place at all the company's locations.
Employment
The group's policy is to attract staff and motivate employees by offering
competitive terms of employment. The group provides equal opportunities to all
employees and prospective employees including those who are disabled.
Performance indicators
Our success is principally measured in terms of net asset value per share and
trading cash flow (where we aim over a period of time to deliver a positive
cash return) and net asset value per share after adjusting for valuation
volatility and excluding IFRS adjustments. The directors consider
that the Key Performance Indicator of the Group is the Net Asset per Share
value shown at the foot of the Balance Sheet on page 34. Cash flow is shown on
page 36.
Dividend Policy and Capitalisation Issue
An interim dividend for 2008 of 0.75p was paid on 23 January 2009 (2007 interim
dividend: 0.65p paid on 25 January 2008). The directors recommend payment of a
final dividend for 2008 of 0.40p per ordinary share of 10 pence each (the Final
Dividend and Ordinary Share respectively). In addition to the Final Dividend
the directors propose to issue Ordinary Shares in lieu of the full final
dividend that would otherwise have been paid, by issuing to existing
shareholders new Ordinary Shares (the Capitalisation Issue) with an aggregate
value equal to 0.80p (the Capitalisation Amount) for each Ordinary Share held
by them.
Subject to shareholder approval, the total dividend per Ordinary Share for 2008
will be 1.15p per Ordinary Share. When added to the Capitalisation Amount, this
results in an equivalent nominal amount of 1.95p per Ordinary Share (2007 total
dividend: 1.95p).
The Final Dividend of 0.40p per Ordinary Share will be payable on 3 July 2009
to shareholders registered at the close of business on 5 June 2009. The
Capitalisation Issue will take effect on 3 July 2009 to shareholders registered
at the close of business on 5 June 2009.
The Capitalisation Issue is conditional on, amongst other things, shareholders'
approval at the AGM of the company to be held on 10 June 2009 of the granting
of authority to the directors to allot and issue Ordinary Shares in connection
with the Capitalisation Issue (the Capitalisation Issue Shares). The
Capitalisation Issue also requires shareholders to authorise the capitalisation
of reserves to allow the Capitalisation Issue Shares to be issued.
Further details concerning the Capitalisation Issue (including certain general
taxation considerations in respect of the Capitalisation Issue) are set out
below and a summary and explanation of the resolution to be proposed at the
Annual General Meeting in respect of the Capitalisation Issue is set out on
page 23 of this Directors' Report.
The Capitalisation Issue
Reason for Dividend Policy and Capitalisation Issue
In light of current economic conditions, the board of directors feels that it
is imperative that the group maximises its financial flexibility, including
conserving cash wherever possible, and accordingly considers that it would be
prudent to issue the Capitalisation Issue Shares in lieu of a cash dividend
equal to 0.80p per Ordinary Share. Also, the Capitalisation Issue enables
shareholders to build up their shareholding in the company without incurring
dealing costs or stamp duty.
The board of directors reserves the right not to complete the Capitalisation
Issue if it considers such action would not be in the best interests of the
company or its shareholders.
Entitled Shareholders
Holders of Ordinary Shares on the register as at 5 June 2009 will be entitled
to receive Capitalisation Issue Shares. Accordingly, the last date transfers
will be accepted for registration to participate in the Capitalisation Issue
will be 5 June 2009 (the Capitalisation Issue Record Date).
Entitlement to Capitalisation Issue Shares
Each shareholder's entitlement to Capitalisation Issue Shares will be
calculated by taking the Capitalisation Amount per Ordinary Share multiplied by
the number of Ordinary Shares held by that shareholder at the Capitalisation
Issue Record Date and dividing that amount by the Capitalisation Issue Price.
The Capitalisation Issue Price will be the average of the middle market
quotations for Ordinary Shares for the three dealing days starting on, and
including, 3 June 2009, the day when the Ordinary Shares are first quoted
``ex-dividend'', as derived from the Official List of the UK Listing Authority.
The Capitalisation Issue Price, once fixed, will also be notified on the
company's website at www.lap.co.uk.
Entitlements to Capitalisation Issue Shares will be rounded down to the nearest
whole number of Ordinary Shares. No fraction of an Ordinary Share will be
allotted.
The Capitalisation Issue Shares
The company will apply to the UK Listing Authority for the Capitalisation Issue
Shares to be admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for
the Capitalisation Issue Shares to be admitted to trading on its market for
listed securities on 3 July 2009. Subject to the applications being
successful, the Capitalisation Issue Shares are expected to be allotted on and
dealings in Capitalisation Issue Shares are expected to begin on or around 3
July 2009.
The Capitalisation Issue Shares will be issued fully paid and will rank pari
passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to
receive all dividends or other distributions declared, made or paid after the
date of their issue (but excluding for the avoidance of doubt the Final
Dividend).
Subject to the Capitalisation Issue becoming effective:
(a) in respect of Ordinary Shares held in certificated form on the
Capitalisation Issue Record Date, share certificates will be issued in respect
of Capitalisation Issue Shares and posted to shareholders as soon as reasonably
practicable after the Capitalisation Issue becomes effective; and
(b) in respect of Ordinary Shares held in uncertificated form (i.e. CREST) on
the Capitalisation Issue Record Date, prior to the commencement of dealings in
the Capitalisation Issue Shares on the London Stock Exchange, the appropriate
stock account in CREST of the relevant shareholder will be credited with such
person's entitlement to Capitalisation Issue Shares. The Capitalisation Issue
Shares are expected to be eligible to be traded through the CREST system with
effect from the date of commencement of dealings on the London Stock Exchange.
Dividends
The timing of the payment of the company's cash dividends will not be affected
by the Capitalisation Issue. All mandates and other instructions in force
relating to dividend payments will, unless and until revoked, remain in force.
Share Plans
The company operates an HMRC approved share incentive plan. Executive director
and staff participations may be adjusted to take account of the Capitalisation
Issue in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Participants will be
contacted separately and further information provided as to how their
entitlements might be affected.
UK tax treatment of the Capitalisation Issue
The directors have sought advice as to the expected tax treatment of
shareholders on receipt of Capitalisation Issue Shares. The following
statements are intended only as a general guide to current UK tax law and
practice of Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC). They are intended to apply
only to shareholders who are resident or ordinarily resident in the UK for UK
tax purposes, who hold their Ordinary Shares as investments and who are the
beneficial owners of their Ordinary Shares. The statements may not apply to
certain classes of shareholders such as dealers in securities. Shareholders who
are in any doubt as to their tax position regarding the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of the Capitalisation Issue Shares or who are subject to tax in
a jurisdiction other than the UK should consult their own tax advisers.
The Capitalisation Issue should be treated as a reorganisation of the company's
share capital for the purposes of taxation of chargeable gains. Accordingly, a
shareholder should not be subject to a charge to tax on capital gains (CGT)
upon receipt of Capitalisation Issue Shares. Instead, a shareholder's existing
Ordinary Shares and the Capitalisation Issue Shares should, taken together, be
treated for CGT purposes as the same asset, acquired at the time and for the
same price that the shareholder acquired their existing Ordinary Shares. A
subsequent sale or other disposal by a shareholder of some or all of the
Capitalisation Issue Shares might give rise to a CGT liability for that
shareholder.
The receipt of Capitalisation Issue Shares should not give rise to a charge to
tax on income for shareholders. The Capitalisation Issue should not be subject
to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax.
Overseas Shareholders
It is the responsibility of overseas shareholders to ensure that all relevant
laws and regulations in overseas jurisdictions applicable to them or their
shareholdings (for example, exchange control laws or regulations) are complied
with and that they obtain any permissions or consents required to be obtained,
or make any filings required to be made by them. Shareholders should consult
their professional advisers if they are not sure whether any formalities must
be observed in order to receive Capitalisation Issue Shares. It is the
responsibility of any person resident outside the UK wishing to receive
Capitalisation Issue Shares to be satisfied as to full observance of the laws
of the relevant territory, including obtaining any government or other consents
which may be required and observing other formalities in such territories.
The company's ordinary shares
held in treasury
During 2008 the company issued 293,680 of its own shares from Treasury for an
average price of 44.0p which increased the "issued share capital" by the same
number of shares (see table below for details).
At 31 December 2008 5,873,865 (2007: 6,167,545) shares were held in treasury
with a market value of £1,468,466 (2007:£5,273,250). At the Annual General
Meeting (AGM) in June 2008 members renewed the authority for the company to
purchase up to 10 per cent of its issued ordinary shares. The company will be
asking members to renew this authority at the next AGM in June 2009.
Movements in Treasury Transaction Number of
shares during the year: price shares
Treasury shares held at 1 6,167,545
January 2008
November 2008 - Issue of
Treasury shares in
connection
with the HMRC approved share 44.00p (293,680)
incentive plan
Treasury shares held at 31 5,873,865
December 2008
Treasury shares are not included in issued share capital for the purposes of
calculating earnings per share and net assets per share, and they do not
qualify for dividends payable.
Investment properties
All of the freehold and long leasehold properties of the company and its
subsidiaries were revalued as at 31 December 2008 by external professional
firms of chartered surveyors - Allsop LLP, London (98.31 per cent of the
portfolio), and Atisreal Limited, Leeds (1.69 per cent). The valuations, which are
reflected in the financial statements, amount to £218.5 million (2007: £248.1
million).
Taking account of prevailing market conditions, the valuation of group
properties at 31 December 2008 resulted in a reduction of £33.1 million (2007:
£25.2 million). This has been reflected in the income statement in accordance
with the requirements of IFRS. The impact of property revaluations on the
company's joint ventures (Analytical Ventures Limited and Dragon Retail
Properties Limited) and the associate company (Bisichi Mining plc) was a
reduction of £4.2 million (2007 £3.1 million). The proportion of this
revaluation attributable to the Group (net of taxation) is reflected in the
income statement and the consolidated balance sheet.
Financial instruments
Note 18 to the financial statements sets out the risks in respect of financial
instruments. The board reviews and agrees overall treasury policies, delegating
appropriate authority for applying these policies to the Chief Executive and
Finance Director. Financial instruments are used to manage the financial risks
facing the group - speculative transactions are prohibited. Treasury operations
are reported at each board meeting and are subject to weekly internal
reporting. Hedging arrangements have been put in place in the company,
subsidiaries and joint ventures in order to limit the exposure to interest rate
risk.
Directors
M A Heller, J A Heller, R J Corry, H D Goldring, C A Parritt and M C Stevens
were directors of the company for the whole of 2008.
R J Corry, H D Goldring, J A Heller and C A Parritt are retiring by rotation at
the Annual General Meeting in 2009 and offer themselves for re-election. Brief
details of the directors offering themselves for re-election are as follows:
Robert Corry has been Finance Director since 1993. He has a contract of
employment determinable at six months notice. Robert Corry is a Chartered
Accountant and has worked in the retail and real estate sectors for much of his
career.
Howard Goldring has been a director since 1992 and has a contract of service
determinable at three months notice. He is a member of the audit, remuneration
and nomination committees. Howard Goldring is a Chartered Accountant and global
asset allocation specialist. He is executive chairman of Delmore Asset
Management Limited which specialises in the management of investment portfolios and
the provision of asset allocation advice for private clients, family offices
and pension funds. The board has considered the re-appointment of Howard
Goldring and recommends his re-election as a director. His specialised economic
knowledge and broad business experience are of significant benefit to the
business.
John Heller has been a director since 1998 and was appointed Chief Executive in
September 2001. He has a contract of employment determinable at twelve months
notice.
Clive Parritt has been a director since January 2006 and has a contract of
service determinable at three months notice and is the Senior Independent
Director and chairman of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees.
He is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience in providing
strategic, financial and commercial advice to business. The board has
considered the re-appointment of Clive Parritt and recommends his re-election
as a director. His financial knowledge and broad commercial experience are of
significant benefit to the business.
Directors' interests
The interests of the directors in the ordinary shares of the company, including
family and trustee holdings, where appropriate, were as follows:
Beneficial Non-beneficial
interests interests
31 Dec 08 1 Jan 08 31 Dec 08 1 Jan 08
M A Heller 4,871,757 4,871,757 18,520,634 18,520,634
R J Corry 359,110 342,065 - -
H D Goldring 11,080 11,080 - -
J A Heller 1,153,971 1,139,691
+13,520,634+13,520,634
C A Parritt 24,364 24,364 - -
M C Stevens 492,267 475,222 ++777,534 ++483,854
†These non-beneficial holdings are duplicated with those of M A Heller.
++ The non-beneficial interest of M C Stevens arises by reason of his being a
director of London & Associated Securities Limited, a company which acts as a
trustee.
No director had any material interest in any contract or agreement with the
group during the year other than as shown in this annual report. (Please see
note 21 and the remuneration report).
Between 1 January 2009 and the date of this report the beneficial interests of
a number of directors in the ordinary shares of the company have increased to
the following totals:
M A Heller 5,351,757
R J Corry 631,403
J A Heller 1,438,744
M C Stevens 724,320
No other changes in these holdings have taken place between 31 December 2008
and the date of this report.
Details of options granted to directors to subscribe for new ordinary shares of
the company are shown in the Remuneration Report under "Share option schemes"
on page 28.
The beneficial holdings of directors above include their interests in the Share
Incentive Pla
Substantial shareholdings
At 31 December 2008 M A Heller and his family had an interest in 43.09 million
shares of the company, representing 56.4 per cent of the issued share capital
net of treasury shares (2007: 43.08 million shares representing 56.6 per cent).
Cavendish Asset Management Limited has an interest in 3,470,351 shares
representing 4.54 per cent of the issued share capital of the company (2007:
2,685,200 shares representing 3.5 per cent).
Between 1 January 2009 and the date of this report the following changes
occurred:
The interest of M A Heller and his family increased to 43.86 million shares in
the company, representing 56.42 per cent of the issued share capital net of
Treasury shares.
Cavendish Asset Management Limited increased their interests to 4,739,228
shares representing 6.10 per cent of the issued share capital of the company
net of Treasury shares.
The company is not aware of any other holdings exceeding 3 per cent of the
issued share capital and no relevant changes have occurred since the year end.
Takeover Directive
The company has one class of share capital, namely ordinary shares. Each
ordinary share carries one vote. All the ordinary shares rank pari passu. There
are no securities issued in the company which carry special rights with regard
to control of the company.
The identity of all significant direct or indirect holders of securities in the
company and the size and nature of their holdings is shown in "Substantial
shareholdings" above.
The rights of the ordinary shares to which HMRC approved Share Incentive Plan
relate, are exercisable by the trustees on behalf of the employees.
There are no restrictions on voting rights or on the transfer of ordinary
shares in the company save in respect of Treasury Shares. The rules governing
the appointment and replacement of directors, alteration of the articles of
association of the company and the powers of the company's directors accord
with usual English company law provisions. Each director is re-elected at least
every three years. The company has requested authority from shareholders to buy
back its own ordinary shares and there will be a resolution to renew the
authority at this year's AGM.
The company is not party to any significant agreements that take effect, alter
or terminate upon a change of control of the company following a takeover bid.
The company is not aware of any agreements between holders of its ordinary
shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer of its ordinary shares
or on voting rights.
There are no agreements between the company and its directors or employees
providing for compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs because
of a takeover bid.
Statement as to disclosure of
information to auditors
The directors in office on 31 December 2008 have confirmed that, as far as they
are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor is
unaware. All of the directors have confirmed that they have taken all the steps
that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated
to the auditor.
Corporate governance
The company has adopted the Guidance for Smaller Quoted Companies (SQC's)
published by the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA). The QCA provides guidance to
SQC's. The QCA's guidance covers the implementation of the Revised Combined
Code on Corporate Governance for SQC's and the paragraphs below set out how the
company has applied this guidance during the year. The company has complied
with the QCA's guidance throughout the year, except insofar that non-executive
directors are not appointed for fixed terms (section A.7.2).
Principles of corporate governance
The board promotes good corporate governance in the areas of accountability and
risk management as a positive contribution to business prosperity. The board
endeavours to apply corporate governance principles in a sensible and pragmatic
fashion having regard to the circumstances of the business. The key objective
is to enhance and protect shareholder value.
Board structure
During the year the board comprised four executive directors, being the
chairman, chief executive, finance director and company secretary, and two
non-executive directors. Their details appear on page 21. The board is
responsible to shareholders for the proper management of the group.
A directors' responsibility statement in respect of the accounts is set out on
page 32. The non-executive directors have a particular responsibility to ensure
that the strategies proposed by the executive directors are fully considered.
To enable the board to discharge its duties, all directors have full and timely
access to all relevant information and there is a procedure for all directors,
in furtherance of their duties, to take independent professional advice, if
necessary, at the expense of the group. The board has a formal schedule of
matters reserved to it and normally has eleven regular meetings scheduled each
year. Additional meetings are held for special business as required.
The board is responsible for overall group strategy, approval of major capital
expenditure and consideration of significant financial and operational matters.
The board committees, which have written terms of reference, deal with specific
aspects of the group's affairs:
• The nomination committee is chaired by C A Parritt and comprises the
non-executive directors and the executive chairman. The committee is
responsible for proposing candidates for appointment to the board, having
regard to the balance and structure of the board. In appropriate cases
recruitment consultants are used to assist the process. All directors are
subject to re-election at least every three years.
• The remuneration committee is responsible for making recommendations to the
board on the company's framework of executive remuneration and its cost. The
committee determines the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for
each of the executive directors, including performance related bonus schemes,
pension rights and compensation payments. The board itself determines the
remuneration of the non-executive directors. The committee comprises the
non-executive directors and it is chaired by C A Parritt. The executive
chairman is normally invited to attend. The directors' remuneration report is
set out on pages 27 to 29.
• The audit committee comprises the non-executive directors and is chaired by C
A Parritt. The audit committee report is set out on page 30. The audit
committee comprises the non-executive directors and is chaired by C A Parritt.
The audit committee report is set out on page 30.
Board and board committee meetings in 2008
The number of regular meetings during the year and attendance was as follows:
Meetings Meetings
held attended
R J Corry Board 11 11
Audit committee 2 2
H D Board 11 10
Goldring Audit committee 2 2
Nomination 1 1
committee 1 1
Remuneration
committee
M A Board 11 11
Heller Nomination 1 1
committee 1 1
Remuneration
committee
J A Board 11 10
Heller Audit committee 2 2
C A Board 11 11
Parritt Audit committee 2 2
Nomination 1 1
committee 1 1
Remuneration
committee
M C Board 11 10
Stevens Audit committee 2 2
Performance evaluation - board,
board committees and directors
The performance of the board as a whole and of its committees and the
non-executive directors is assessed by the chairman and the chief executive and
is discussed with the senior independent director. Their recommendations are
discussed at the nomination committee prior to proposals for re-election being
recommended to the board. The performance of executive directors is discussed
and assessed by the remuneration committee. The senior independent director
meets regularly with the chairman, executive and non-executive directors
individually outside of formal meetings. The directors will take outside advice
in reviewing performance but have not found this to be necessary to date.
Independent directors
The senior independent non-executive director is C A Parritt. The other
independent non-executive director is H D Goldring. Delmore Asset Management
Limited (Delmore) is a company in which H D Goldring is a majority shareholder
and director. Delmore provides consultancy services to the company on a fee
basis. H D Goldring's association with Delmore and the length of his service on
the board mean that the criteria for independence set out in the Combined Code
of Corporate Governance are not met.
However the board considers that the independence of H D Goldring is not
impaired either because he has served on the board for more than nine years or
because of his association with Delmore. The board therefore regards H D
Goldring as being independent.
The independent directors regularly meet prior to or after board meetings to
discuss corporate governance and other issues concerning the group.
Directors and officers liability insurance
The group maintains directors and officers insurance, which is reviewed
annually and is considered to be adequate by the company and its insurance
advisers.
Internal control
The directors are responsible for the group's system of internal control and
for reviewing its effectiveness at least annually. The board has designed the
group's system of internal control in order to provide the directors with
reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, that transactions are
authorised and properly recorded and that material errors and irregularities
are either prevented or would be detected within a timely period. However, no
system of internal control can eliminate the risk of failure to achieve
business objectives or provide absolute assurance against material misstatement
or loss. The key elements of the control system in operation are:
• The board meets regularly with a formal schedule of matters reserved for its
decision and has put in place an organisational structure with clearly defined
lines of responsibility and with appropriate delegation of authority;
• There are established procedures for planning, approval and monitoring of
capital expenditure and information systems for monitoring the group's
financial performance against approved budgets and forecasts;
• The departmental heads are required annually to undertake a full assessment
process to identify and quantify the risks that face their departments and
functions, and assess the adequacy of the prevention, monitoring and
modification practices in place for those risks. In addition, regular reports
about significant risks and associated control and monitoring procedures are
made to the executive directors. The process adopted by the group accords with
the guidance contained in the document "Internal Control Guidance for Directors
on the Combined Code" issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales. The audit committee receives reports from external auditors
and from executive directors of the group. During the period, the audit
committee has reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control as
described above. The board receives periodic reports from all committees.
There are no internal control issues to report in the annual report and
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 and up to the date of
approval of the report and financial statements the board has not been required
to deal with any related material internal control issues. The directors
confirm that the board has reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal
control as described during the period.
Communication with shareholders
Communications with shareholders are given high priority. Extensive information
about the group and its activities is provided in the Annual Report . The
company's website www.lap.co.uk is also updated with all announcements and
reports promptly when they are issued. There is a regular dialogue with the
company's stockbroker and institutional investors. Enquiries from individuals
on matters relating to their shareholdings and the business of the group are
dealt with informatively and promptly.
The company's website is under continuous development to enable better
communication with existing and potential new shareholders.
Payments tosuppliers
The company and the group agree the terms of contracts when orders are placed.
It is group policy that payments to suppliers are made in accordance with those
terms, provided that suppliers also comply with all relevant terms and
conditions. Trade creditors outstanding at the year end represent 17.3 days
annual trade purchases (2007: 10.0 days).
Donations
No political donations were made during the year (2007: £Nil). Donations for
charitable purposes amounted to £250 (2007: £650).
Going concern
The group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its
future development are set out in the Chairman's Statement, Chief Executive's
Report and Finance Director's Report on the preceding pages 2 to 19. In
addition Note 18 to the financial statements includes the group's treasury
policy, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and hedging profile.
The group has considerable financial resources together with long term leases
with the majority of its tenants. The directors believe the group is well
placed to successfully manage its business risks through the current uncertain
economic outlook.
After making enquiries and forecasts the directors confirm that they have a
reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the going
concern basis has been adopted in the preparation of the financial statements.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the RAC Club, 89 Pall Mall, London
SW1Y 5HS on Wednesday 10 June 2009 at 10.30 a.m. Items 1 to 10 will be proposed
as ordinary resolutions. More than 50 per cent of shareholders' votes must be
in favour for these resolutions to be passed. Items 11 and 12 will be proposed
as special resolutions. At least 75 per cent of shareholders' votes must be in
favour for these resolutions to be passed. The directors consider that the
Capitalisation Issue and all of the resolutions to be put to the meeting are in
the best interests of the company and its shareholders as a whole and
accordingly the board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour
of all of the resolutions, as the directors intend to do in respect of their
own beneficial holdings of Ordinary Shares. Please note that the following
paragraphs are only summaries of certain of the resolutions to be proposed at
the Annual General Meeting and not the full text of the resolutions. You should
therefore read this section in conjunction with the full text of the
resolutions contained in the notice of Annual General Meeting.
Ordinary Resolution
Resolution 10 - the Capitalisation Issue
In order to enable the directors to effect the Capitalisation Issue the
following ordinary resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting:(a)
To give the directors the authority to issue new Ordinary Shares in lieu of
paying cash dividendsof an amount equivalent to 0.8p per Ordinary Share
Paragraph (a) of Resolution 10 will grant the directors authority to capitalise
such amount of the company's share premium account as the directors may
determine up to £622,000 and to apply such sum in paying up the Capitalisation
Issue Shares.
(b) To give the directors the authority to allot Ordinary Shares
Paragraph (b) of Resolution 10 will grant the directors the authority to allot
authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares in the share capital of the company. If
Resolution 10 is passed and taking into account the existing authority to allott
shares granted to the directors at the Annual General Meeting held on 5 June 2007,
the maximum aggregate amount the directors are authorised to allot represents
40.69 per cent. of the total issued ordinary share capital of the company
(excluding treasury shares) as at 16 April 2009 (being the latest practicable
date prior to the date of this Directors' Report). The authority given by
paragraph (b) of Resolution 10 shall expire at the conclusion of the company's
Annual General Meeting to be held in 2010 or, if earlier, 15 months from the
date of the Annual General Meeting at which Resolution 10 is passed.
The directors at present intend to use the authority conferred by paragraph (b)
of Resolution 10 to allot the Capitalisation Issue Shares.
Further information relating to the proposed Capitalisation Issue is set out on
pages 22 and 23 of this Directors' Report.
.
Special Resolutions
The following special resolutions will be proposed at the Annual General
Meeting:
1. Resolution 11 - disapplication of pre-emption rights
Shares allotted for cash must normally first be offered to shareholders in
proportion to their existing shareholdings. The directors will, at the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the company (Resolution 11), seek
authority to allot shares for cash as if the pre-emption rights contained in
Section 89(1) of the Companies Act 1985 did not apply up to a maximum of 5% of
the company's issued share capital. The authority will expire at the earlier of
the conclusion of the company's next Annual General Meeting and 15 months from
the passing of Resolution 11.
2. Resolution 12 - purchase of own Ordinary Shares
The effect of Resolution 12 to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting would
be to give the company a general authority to purchase a maximum of 8,231,697
of its own Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each (representing approximately 10 per
cent of the company's issued share capital). The minimum price (exclusive of
expenses) which the company would be authorised to pay for each Ordinary Share
would be 10 pence (the nominal value of each ordinary share). The maximum price
(again exclusive of expenses) which the company would be authorised to pay for
an ordinary share is an amount equal to the higher of (i) 105% of the average
market price for an ordinary share for the five business days preceding any
such purchase and (ii) the higher of the last independent trade for an ordinary
share and the highest current independent bid for an ordinary share as derived
from the trading venue where the purchase is carried out. The authority
conferred by Resolution 12 will expire at the conclusion of the 2010 Annual
General Meeting or 15 months from the passing of the resolution, whichever is
the earlier.
If granted, the authority would only be exercised if to do so would result in
an increase in earnings per share or asset values per share and would be in the
best interests of shareholders generally. In exercising the authority to
purchase ordinary shares, the directors may treat the shares that have been
bought back as either cancelled or held in treasury
(or a combination of both). The total number of options to subscribe for new
ordinary shares in the company as at 31 December 2008 was 120,000 shares
representing 0.157% of the company's issued share capital as at 31 December
2008. Such number of options to subscribe for new ordinary shares would
represent approximately 0.175% of the reduced issued share capital of the
company assuming full use of the authority to make market purchases sought
under Resolution 12.
Other matters
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office
as auditors. A proposal will be
made at the Annual General Meeting for their reappointment.
By order of the board
M C Stevens, Secretary
17 April 2009
Carlton House
St James's Square
London SW1Y 4JH
REMUNERATION REPORT
The remuneration committee is pleased to present its report for the year ended
31 December 2008.
The remuneration committee is a formally constituted committee of the board and
is comprised entirely of independent non-executive directors. The members of
the committee are C A Parritt (chairman) and H D Goldring.
Remuneration policy for executive directors and non-executive directors
The principal function of the remuneration committee is to determine, on behalf
of the board, the remuneration and other benefits of the executive directors
and senior executives, including pensions, share options and service contracts.
The company's policy is designed to attract, retain and motivate individuals of
a calibre who will ensure the successful leadership and management of the
company. Remuneration packages are designed to reward the executive directors
and senior executives fairly for their contributions whilst remaining within
the range of benefits offered by similar companies in the sector. The
emoluments of each executive director comprise basic salary, a bonus at the
discretion of the remuneration committee, provision of a car, premiums paid in
respect of individual defined-contribution pension arrangements, health
insurance premium and share options. The remuneration of non-executive
directors is determined by the board, and takes into account additional
remuneration for services outside the scope of the ordinary duties of
non-executive directors. No pension costs are incurred on behalf of
non-executive directors and they do not participate in the share option
schemes.
The board's policy is to grant share incentives to executive directors,
managers and staff at appropriate times to provide them with an interest in the
longer term development of the group.
Service and employment contracts
All executive directors have full-time contracts of employment with the
company. Non-executive directors have contracts of service. No director has a
contract of employment or contract of service with the company, its joint
venture or associated companies with a fixed term which exceeds twelve months.
All directors' contracts, as amended from time to time, have run from the date
of appointment. Details of the directors standing for re-election are provided
under `Directors' in the directors' report.
It is the policy of the committee to issue employment contracts to executive
directors with normal commercial terms and without extended terms of notice
which could give rise to extraordinary termination payments.
Summary of directors' terms
Date of contract Unexpired term Notice period
Executive directors
M A Heller 01-Jan-71 Continuous 6 months
J A Heller 01-May-03 Continuous 12 months
R J Corry 01-Sep-92 Continuous 6 months
M C Stevens 14-Oct-85 Continuous 6 months
Non-executive
directors
H D Goldring 01-Jul-92 Continuous 3 months
C A Parritt 01-Jan-06 Continuous 3 months
The following information has been audited
Directors' Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2008
Total Total
before before
Salary Bonus Bonus Pension Pension Pension Pension
And in in Other contrib- contrib Total contrib contrib Total
fees cash shares benefits utions utions 2008 utions utions 2007
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Executive
directors
M A Heller* 7 - 150 47 204 - 204 353 - 353
J A Heller 300 150 156 52 658 30 688 1,002 30 1,032
R J Corry 166 25 6 24 221 118 339 272 113 385
M C Stevens 110 - 6 20 136 67 203 133 128 261
583 175 318 143 1,219 215 1,434 1,760 271 2,031
Non-executive
directors
H D Goldring* 35 - - 3 38 - 38 35 - 35
C A Parritt 25 - - - 25 - 25 23 - 23
B J O'Connell - - - - - - - 26 - 26
â€
60 - - 3 63 - 63 84 - 84
Total
remuneration
for
directors' 643 175 318 146 1,282 215 1,497 1,844 271 2,115
service
during year
* See "Directors" below and Note 21 "Related party transactions". Other
benefits include the provision of car, health and other insurance and
subscriptions.
†B J O'Connell retired from the board on 31 October 2007.
Pension schemes and incentives
Three (2007: three) directors have benefits under money purchase pension
schemes. Contributions in 2008 were £215,000 (2007: £271,000) as set out in the
table above. Directors are not entitled to benefits under any bonus or
incentive schemes apart from the share option and share incentive plan, details
of which are set out below.
Bonuses are awarded by the remuneration committee when merited. In assessing
the performance of the executive team and, in particular to determine whether
bonuses are merited the remuneration committee takes account of the overall
performance of the business. Specific areas addressed include: enhancement of
the asset base by effective development; changes in rental income generated;
quality and risk profile of the tenant base; voids; timely acquisitions and
disposals; security of funding arrangements; and overall teamwork. Bonuses were
awarded by the remuneration committee to 4 executive directors during 2008
(2007: four).
Directors
Although M A Heller receives reduced remuneration in respect of his services to
the group, the group does supply office premises, property management, general
management accounting and administration services for a number of companies in
which M A Heller has an interest. The board estimates that the value of these
services, if supplied to a third party, would have been £275,000 (2007: £
275,000) for the year. Further details of these services are set out in Note 21
"Related party transactions" to the financial statements.
H D Goldring's company, Delmore Asset Management Limited provides consultancy
services to the group. This is dealt with in Note 21 to the financial
statements.
Share option schemes
The company has two share option schemes:
1. The HMRC approved scheme (Approved Scheme) was set up in 1986 in accordance
with HMRC rules to gain HMRC approved status which gave the members certain tax
advantages. No director has any options outstanding under the Approved Scheme.
2. The non-HMRC approved scheme (Unapproved Scheme) was set up in 1998 and is
not subject to HMRC rules for approval.
One executive director has options to subscribe for ordinary shares under the
Unapproved Scheme as follows:
Number of share options
Option Exercised Granted 31 Exercisable
1January December
price 2008 In 2008 in 2008 2008 from to
Unapproved
Scheme:
M C Stevens 25.66p 50,000 - - 50,000 8-Mar-02 7-Mar-09
There are no performance criteria for the exercise of options under the
Approved Scheme, as this was set up before such requirements were considered to
be necessary. The exercise of options under the Unapproved Scheme is subject to
the satisfaction of objective performance conditions specified by the
remuneration committee, which conform to institutional shareholder guidelines
and best practice provisions. These performance conditions have been achieved.
M C Stevens exercised the 50,000 options above on 12 February 2009 when the
mid-market price was 31.25p.
The bid market price of London & Associated Properties PLC ordinary shares at
31 December 2008 was 25.0p (2007: 85.5p). During the year the share mid-market
price ranged between 85.75p and 23.75p.
Share incentive plan
Following a recommendation of the remuneration committee the directors set up a
HMRC approved share incentive plan (SIP) in May 2006. The purpose of the plan,
which is open to all eligible LAP head office based executive directors and
staff is to enable them to acquire shares in the company to give them a
continuing stake in the group. The SIP comprises four types of share - (1) free
shares under which the company may award shares up to the value of £3,000 each
year, (2) partnership shares, under which members may save up to £1,500 per
annum to acquire shares, (3) matching shares through which the company may
award up to two shares for each share acquired as a partnership share, and (4)
dividend shares acquired from dividends paid on shares within the SIP.
1. Free shares On 17 November 2008 (2007: 19 November) free shares of up to the
annual maximum of £3,000 per member were awarded at 44.00p (2007: 96.25p) per
share as follows:
Number of members Number of shares Value of shares
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
£ £
Directors:
R J Corry 1 1 6,818 3,117 3,000 3,000
J A Heller 1 1 6,818 3,117 3,000 3,000
M C Stevens 1 1 6,818 3,117 3,000 3,000
Staff 19 19 80,682 15,819 35,500 15,225
Total at 31 December 22 22 101,136 25,170 44,500 24,225
2. Partnership shares On 17 November 2008 (2007: 19 November) directors and
staff were invited to complete partnership share agreements and commence saving
for partnership shares over the period November 2008 to October 2009. At 31
December 2008 three directors and fifteen staff had saved a total of £2,847
towards the cost of partnership shares to be acquired in November 2009. The
shares will be acquired at the prevailing market price on the day of
acquisition.
Partnership shares issued:
acquired on 17 November
2008:
Number of members Number of shares Value of shres
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
Directors: £ £
R J Corry 1 1 3,409 1,558 1,500 1,500
J A Heller 1 1 3,409 1,558 1,500 1,500
M C Stevens 1 1 3,409 1,558 1,500 1,500
Staff 19 19 53,955 23,526 23,740 22,650
Total at 31 December 22 22 64,182 28,200 28,240 27,150
3. Matching shares The partnership share agreements for the year to 31 October
2008 provide for two matching shares to be awarded free of charge for each
partnership share acquired in November 2008. On 17 November 2008 128,364
matching shares were allocated (2007: 56,417). Matching shares will usually be
forfeited if a member leaves employment in the group within 5 years of their
grant.
Matching shares granted:
Number of members Number of shares Value of shares
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
£ £
Directors:
R J Corry 1 1 6,818 3,117 3,000 3,000
J A Heller 1 1 6,818 3,117 3,000 3,000
M C Stevens 1 1 6,818 3,117 3,000 3,000
Staff 19 19 107,910 47,066 47,480 45,301
Total at 31 December 22 22 128,364 56,417 56,480 54,301
4. Dividend shares Dividends on shares acquired under the SIP will be utilised
to acquire additional shares. Accumulated dividends received on shares in the
SIP to 31 December 2008 amounted to £6,833 (2007: £677).
The SIP is set up as an employee benefit trust - The trustee is London &
Associated Securities Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of LAP, and all shares
and dividends acquired under the SIP will be held by the trustee until
transferred to members in accordance with the rules of the SIP. (The trustee
acquired the Dividend Shares on 6 March 2009).
The following information is unaudited
The graph illustrates the company's performance as compared with a broad equity
market index over a five year period. Performance is measured by total
shareholder return. The directors have chosen the FTSE All Share - Total Return
Index as a suitable index for this comparison as it gives an indication of
performance against a large spread of quoted companies.
C A Parritt
Chairman - Remuneration Committee
17 April 2009
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee's terms of reference have been approved by the board and follow
published guidelines, which are available on request from the company
secretary.
At the year end the audit committee comprised the two non-executive directors -
H D Goldring and C A Parritt, both Chartered Accountants.
The audit committee's prime tasks are to:
• review the scope of external audit, to receive regular reports from Baker
Tilly UK Audit LLP and to review the half-yearly and annual accounts before
they are presented to the board, focusing in particular on accounting policies
and areas of management judgement and estimation;
• monitor the controls which are in force to ensure the integrity of the
information reported to the shareholders;
• act as a forum for discussion of internal control issues and contribute to
the board's review of the effectiveness of the group's internal control and
risk management systems and processes;
• consider once a year the need for an internal audit function;
• advise the board on the appointment of external auditors, the rotation of the
audit partner every five years and on their remuneration for both audit and
non-audit work; discuss the nature and scope of their audit work and undertake
a formal assessment of the auditors' independence each year, which includes:
i) a review of non-audit services provided to the group and related fees;
ii) discussion with the auditors of their written report detailing all
relationships with the company and any other parties that could affect
independence or the perception of independence;
iii) a review of the auditors' own procedures for ensuring the independence of
the audit firm and partners and staff involved in the audit, including the
regular rotation of the audit partner; and
iv) obtaining a written confirmation from the auditors that, in their
professional judgement, they are independent.
Meetings
The committee meets at least twice prior to the publication of the annual
results and discusses and considers the half year results at a board meeting
and approves them with a committee of the board prior to their release. The
audit committee meetings are attended by the external audit partner, chief
executive, finance director and company secretary. Prior to monthly board
meetings the members of the committee meet on an informal basis to discuss any
relevant matters which may have arisen. Additional formal meetings may be held
as necessary.
During the past year the committee:
• met with the external auditors, and discussed their reports to the audit
committee.
• approved the publication of annual and half year financial results.
• considered and approved the annual review of internal controls.
• decided that there was no current need for an internal audit function.
• agreed the independence of the auditors and approved their fees for both
audit and non-audit services as set out in note 2 to the financial statements.
• the chairman of the audit committee had a separate meeting with the external
audit partner.
External Auditors
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP held office throughout the period under review. In the
United Kingdom London & Associated Properties PLC provides extensive
administration and accounting services to Bisichi Mining PLC, which has its own
audit committee and employs PKF (UK) LLP, a separate and independent firm of
registered auditors.
C A Parritt
Chairman - Audit Committee
17 April 2009
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
to the members of London & Associated Properties PLC
We have audited the group and parent company financial statements on pages 33
to 60. We have also audited the information in the Directors' Remuneration
Report that is described as having been audited.
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance
with section 235 of the Companies Act 1985. Our audit work has been undertaken
so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required
to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to
anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our
audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
The directors' responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report, and the group
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union ("EU"),
and for preparing the parent company financial statements and the Directors'
Remuneration Report in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom
Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice)
are set out in the Directors' Responsibility Statement.
Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements and the part of the
Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited in accordance with relevant legal
and regulatory requirements, and International Standards on Auditing (UK and
Ireland).
We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true
and fair view and whether the financial statements and the part of the
Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited have been properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985 and whether, in addition, the group
financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with Article 4
of the IAS Regulation. We also report to you whether in our opinion the
information given in the Directors' Report is consistent with the financial
statements. The information given in the Directors' Report includes that
specific information presented in the Chairman's Statement, Chief Executive's
Report and the Finance Director's Report that is cross referenced from the
Business Review section of the Directors' Report.
In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the company has not kept
proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and
explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law
regarding directors' remuneration and other transactions is not disclosed.
We review whether the Corporate Governance Statement reflects the company's
compliance with the nine provisions of the 2006 FRC Combined Code specified for
our review by the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority, and we
report if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the board's
statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion
on the effectiveness of the group's corporate governance procedures or its risk
and control procedures.
We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether
it is consistent with the audited financial statements. The other information
comprises only the Directors' Report, the unaudited part of the Directors'
Remuneration Report, the Chairman's Statement, the Chief Executive's Report,
the Finance Director's Report and the Corporate Governance Statement. We
consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our
responsibilities do not extend to any other information.
Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing
(UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes
examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements and the part of the Directors'
Remuneration Report to be audited. It also includes an assessment of the
significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation
of the
financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to
the group's and company's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately
disclosed.
We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and
explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with
sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements
and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited are free from
material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error.
In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the
presentation of information in the financial statements and the part of the
Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited.
Opinion
In our opinion:
- the group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, of the state of the group's affairs as
at 31 December 2008 and of its loss for the year then ended;
- the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with
the Companies Act 1985 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation;
- the parent company financial statements give a true and fair view, in
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, of the
state of the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2008;
- the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors'
Remuneration Report to be audited have been properly prepared in accordance
with the Companies Act 1985; and
- the information given in the Directors' Report is consistent with the
financial statements.
Emphasis of matter
Without qualifying our opinion we draw attention to notes 18 and 26.8 to the
financial statements concerning the fair values of the hedging arrangements
entered into by the group and the company. Differences exist between the
directors'valuations and those of the counterparty to the hedging instruments.
As indicated in the notes, considerable volatility exists in these valuations
as demonstrated by the marked reduction in the liabilities since the year end
and it is not the group's or company's intention to crystallise the instruments.
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP
Registered Auditor
Chartered Accountants
2 Bloomsbury Street
London WC1B 3ST
20 April 2009
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial
statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
UK Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and Company Financial
Statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors are required
to prepare Group financial statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the EU and have elected to
prepare the company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and
applicable law).
The group financial statements are required by law and IFRS adopted by the EU
to present fairly the financial position and performance of the group; the
Companies Act 1985 provides in relation to such financial statements that
references in the relevant part of that Act to financial statements giving a
true and fair view are references to their achieving a fair presentation.
The company financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair
view of the state of affairs of the company.
In preparing each of the group and company financial statements, the directors
are required to:
a. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
b. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
c. for the group financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in
accordance with IFRSs adopted by the EU; and for the company financial
statements state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed,
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the company
financial statements;
d. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the group and the company will continue in
business.
The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the
company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with
the requirements of the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the
corporate and financial information included on the company's website.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination
of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The directors confirm, to the best of their knowledge:
(a) that the financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets,
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and of the
group taken as a whole; and
(b) the management report included within the Directors' Report includes a fair
review of the development and performance of the business and the position of
the company and the group taken as a whole, together with a description of the
principal risks and uncertainties that they face.
valuers' certificates
To the Directors of London & Associated Properties PLC
In accordance with your instructions we have carried out a valuation of the
freehold and leasehold property interests held as at 31 December 2008 by the
company as detailed in our Valuation Report dated 27 January 2009.
Having regard to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the open market value
as at 31 December 2008 of these interests was:
£'000
Freehold 93,965
Leasehold 120,890
214,855
27 Soho Square, London W1D 3AY Allsop LLP
27 January 2009 Property Consultants
To the Directors of London & Associated Properties PLC
In accordance with your instructions we have carried out a valuation of the
freehold property interests held as at 31 December 2008 by the
company as detailed in our Valuation Report dated 11 February 2009.
Having regard to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the open market
value as at 31 December 2008 of these interests was:
£'000
Freehold 3,677
Capitol House, Russell Street, Atisreal Limited
Leeds LS1 5SP Chartered Surveyors and
11 February 2009 International Real Estate
Consultants
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2008
2008 2007
Notes £'000 £'000
Gross rental income
Group and share of joint ventures 16,775 14,260
Less: joint ventures - share of rental (272) (1,228)
income
Revenue 1 16,503 13,032
Direct property expenses (3,137) (2,481)
Overheads (4,408) (4,974)
Property overheads 1 (7,545) (7,455)
Net rental income 1 8,958 5,577
Listed investments held for trading 3 298 144
Costs of evaluation 6 - (339)
Goodwill impairment 6 - (173)
- (512)
Profit on sale of investment properties 897 2,295
Net decrease on revaluation of investment (33,125) (25,208)
properties
Net decrease in value of investments held (1,530) (16)
for trading
Operating loss 1 (24,502) (17,720)
Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures 11 (588) 1,572
after tax
Share of profit/(loss) of associate after 12 172 (448)
tax
Loss before interest and taxation (24,918) (16,596)
Interest rate derivatives 18 (21,063) -
Finance income 5 681 1,583
Finance expenses 5 (11,966) (8,874)
Loss before taxation (57,266) (23,887)
Income tax 7 9,812 11,384
Loss for the yearattributable to the (47,454) (12,503)
equity shareholders of the company
Basic loss per share 9 (62.30)p (16.40)p
Diluted loss per share 9 (62.30)p (16.40)p
The revenue and operating result for the year is derived from continuing
operations in the United Kingdom.
consolidated balance sheet
at 31 December 2008
2008 2007
Notes £'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Market value of properties attributable to 218,532 248,076
group
Present value of head leases 27,238 31,671
Property 10 245,770 279,747
Plant and equipment 10 917 881
Investments in joint ventures 11 1,793 1,881
Investments in associated company 12 6,567 6,401
Held to maturity investments 13 1,805 5
256,852 288,915
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 14 3,974 7,214
Financial assets-investments held for 15 2,330 5,113
trading
Cash and cash equivalents 8,191 16,464
14,495 28,791
Total assets 271,347 317,706
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 16 (11,268) (12,988)
Financial liabilities - borrowings 17 (7,277) (6,250)
Current tax liabilities (2,417) (1,869)
(20,962) (21,107)
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities-borrowings 17 (160,417) (162,866)
Interest rate derivatives 18 (19,616) -
Present value of head leases on properties (27,238) (31,671)
Deferred tax 19 (2,808) (13,071)
(210,079) (207,608)
Total liabilities (231,041) (228,715)
Net assets 40,306 88,991
Equity attributable to the equity
shareholders of the company
Share capital 20 8,232 8,232
Share premium account 5,236 5,236
Translation reserve in associate (504) (530)
Fair value reserve - interest rate - 1,001
derivatives
Capital redemption reserve 47 47
Retained earnings (excluding treasury 33,532 81,554
shares)
Treasury shares 20 (6,237) (6,549)
Retained earnings 27,295 75,005
Total shareholders' equity 40,306 88,991
Net assets per share 9 52.73p 116.86p
Diluted net assets per share 9 52.70p 116.73p
These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and
authorised for issue on 17 April 2009 and signed on its behalf by:
M A Heller R J Corry
Director Director
Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity
for the year ended 31 December 2008
Retained
earnings
Retained
Earnings
Translation Fair Capital Treasury excluding
Share Share reserves value redemption treasury Total
capital premium reserve* reserve shares shares equity
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Balance at 1 January 2007 8,232 5,236 (517) - 47 (6,533) 95,395 101,860
Fair value of interest - - - 1,388 - - 1,388
derivatives
Deferred taxation on - - - (387) - - - (387)
interest derivative
Currency translation in - - (13) - - - - (13)
associate
Net (losses)/gains - - (13) 1,001 - - - 988
recognised directly in
equity
Loss for year - - - - - - (12,503) (12,503)
Total recognised (expense)/ - - - - - - (12,503) (12,503)
income
Equity share options in - - - - - - 99 99
associate
Acquisition of own shares - - - - - (278) - (278)
Disposal of own shares - - - - - 262 - 262
Loss on disposal of own - - - - - - (27) (27)
shares
Dividend - - - - - - (1,410) (1,410)
Balance at 31 December 2007 8,232 5,236 (530) 1,001 47 (6,549) 81,554 88,991
Reclassification of fair - - - (1,001) - - 1,001 -
value of interest
derivatives
Currency translation in - - 26 - - - - 26
associate
Net gains recognised - - 26 (1,001) - - 1,001 26
directly in equity
Loss for year - - - - - - (47,454) (47,454)
Total recognised (expense)/ - - - - - - (47,454) (47,454)
income
Equity share options in - - - - - - 99 99
associate
Disposal of own shares - - - - - 312 - 312
Loss on disposal of own - - - - - - (183) (183)
shares
Dividend - - - - - - (1,485) (1,485)
Balance at 31 December 2008 8,232 5,236 (504) - 47 (6,237) 33,532 40,306
* Interest rate derivatives
All the above are attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent.
Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2008
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Loss before interest and taxation (24,918) (16,596)
Depreciation 200 201
Goodwill impairment - 173
Costs of evaluation - 339
- 512
(Profit)/loss on disposal of non-current assets (2) 9
Profit on sale of investment properties (897) (2,295)
Net decrease on revaluation of investment properties 33,125 25,208
Share of loss/(profit) of joint ventures and associate after 416 (1,124)
tax
Net decrease in value of investments held for trading 1,530 16
Decrease/(increase) in net current assets 2,566 (1,966)
Cash generated from operations 12,020 3,965
Income tax repaid/(paid) 104 (3,420)
Cash inflows from operating activities 12,124 545
Investing activities
Investment in shares and loan stock in joint ventures (2,300) -
Acquisition of subsidiary investments (net of cash acquired) - (11,097)
Costs on evaluation of subsidiary investments - (339)
Property acquisitions and improvements (19,788) (22,455)
Sale of properties 16,229 43,804
Purchase of office equipment and motor cars (294) (104)
Sale of office equipment and motor cars 61 29
Interest received 681 1,916
Dividends received 131 3,343
Cash (outflows)/inflows from investing activities (5,280) 15,097
Financing activities
Purchase of treasury shares - (278)
Sale of treasury shares 129 235
Equity dividends paid (1,485) (1,410)
Interest paid (12,210) (9,303)
Repayment of short term loan from joint ventures (7) (163)
Repayment of medium term bank loan (2,571) (3,371)
Cash outflows from financing activities (16,144) (14,290)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (9,300) 1,352
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 10,214 8,862
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 914 10,214
Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise
the following balance sheet amounts:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents (before bank overdrafts) 8,191 16,464
Bank overdrafts (7,277) (6,250)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 914 10,214
£9.5million of cash deposits at 31 December 2007 was charged as security to the
Prudential. This was released in 2008.
Group accounting policies
The following are the principal group accounting policies:
Basis of accounting
The group financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 are prepared
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as
adopted by the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 1985
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
The company has elected to prepare the parent company's financial statements in
accordance with UK GAAP, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act 1985 and these are presented in note 26. The financial statements
are prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation
of freehold and leasehold properties and financial assets held for trading and
fair value of interest derivatives.
The group financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling and all values
are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000) except when otherwise
stated.
The group financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Further details of which are contained in the Directors' Report.
Key judgements and estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make
assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and the reported income and expenses, further details of which are
set out below. Although management believes that the assumptions and estimates
used are reasonable, the actual results may differ from those estimates.
International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS)
At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following new
Standards and interpretations which have not been applied in these
Financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective:
IAS 1 (amended) Presentation of financial statements
IAS 23 (amended ) Borrowing costs.
IAS 27 (revised) Consolidated and separate financial statements.
IAS 39 (amended) Eligible hedged items.
IFRS 1 (amended) Cost of investment in a subsidiary, jointly controlled entity
or associate.
IFRS 2 (amended) Share-based payments - vesting conditions and cancellations.
IFRS 3 (revised) Business combinations.
IFRS 8 Operating segments.
IFRIC 15 Agreements for the construction of real estate.
IFRIC 17 Distributions of non-cash assets to owners.
The directors anticipate that the adoption of these standards and
interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the financial
statements of the Group.
Basis of consolidation
The group accounts incorporate the accounts of London & Associated Properties
PLC and all of its subsidiary undertakings, together with the group's share of
the results and net assets of its joint ventures and associate.
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are those entities controlled by the group. Control is assumed
when the group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of
an entity or business and to economically benefit from its activities.
Subsidiaries acquired during the year are consolidated using the acquisition
method. Their results are incorporated from the date that control passes.
All intra group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on
consolidation. Details of group subsidiary companies are set out in note 26.4.
Joint ventures
Investments in joint ventures, being those entities over whose activities the
group has joint control, as established by contractual agreement, include the
appropriate share of the results and net assets of those undertakings.
Associates
Undertakings in which the group has a participating interest of not less than
20% of the voting capital and over which it has the power to exert significant
influence are defined as associated undertakings. The financial statements
include the appropriate share of the results and reserves of those
undertakings.
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an intangible asset and
initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the acquired entity
over the group's interest in the fair value of the assets and liabilities
acquired. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
Goodwill arising from the difference in the calculation of deferred tax for
accounting purposes and fair value in negotiations is judged not to be an asset
and is accordingly impaired on completion of the relevant acquisition.
Revenue
Rental income
Rental income arises from operating leases granted to tenants. An operating
lease is a lease other than a finance lease. A finance lease is one whereby
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are passed to the lessee.
Rental income is recognised in the group income statement on a straight-line
basis over the term of the lease. This includes the effect of lease incentives
to tenants, which are normally in the form of rent free periods or capital
contributions in lieu of rent free periods. For income from property leased out
under a finance lease, a lease receivable asset is recognised in the balance
sheet at an amount equal to the net investment in the lease, as defined in IAS
17. Minimum lease payments receivable, again as defined in IAS 17, are
apportioned between finance income and the reduction of the outstanding lease
receivable so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the remaining
net investment in the lease. Contingent rents, being the difference between the
rent currently receivable and the minimum lease payments, are recognised in
property income in the periods in which they are receivable.
Reverse surrender premiums
Payments received from tenants to surrender their lease obligations
are recognised immediately in the income statement.
Dilapidations
Dilapidations monies received from tenants in respect of their lease
obligations are recognised immediately in the income statement.
Other revenue
Revenue in respect of listed investments held for trading represents investment
dividends received and profit or loss recognised on realisation. Dividends are
recognised in the income statement when
the dividend is received.
Property operating expenses
Property operating expenses are expensed as incurred and any property operating
expenditure not recovered from tenants through service charges is charged to
the income statement.
Employee benefits
Share based remuneration
The company operates a long-term incentive plan and two share option schemes.
The fair value of the conditional awards on shares granted under the long- term
incentive plan and the options granted under the share option scheme are
determined at the date of grant. This fair value is then expensed on a
straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on an estimate of the number
of shares that will eventually vest. At each reporting date, the fair value of
the non-market based performance criteria of the long-term incentive plan is
recalculated and the expense is revised. In respect of the share option scheme,
the fair value of options granted is calculated using a binomial method.
Pensions
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme.
The contributions payable to the scheme are expensed in
the period to which they relate.
Financial instruments
Investments
Held to maturity investments are stated at amortised cost using the effective
interest rate method.
Investments held for trading are included in current assets at fair value. For
listed investments, fair value is the bid market listed value at the balance
sheet date. Realised and unrealised gains or losses arising from changes in
fair value are included in the income statement of the period in which they
arise.
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value.
A provision for impairment of trade receivables is made when there
is evidence that the group will not be able to collect all amounts due.
Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are non interest bearing and are stated
at their nominal value.
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bank loans and overdrafts are included as financial liabilities on the group
balance sheet net of the unamortised discount and costs of issue. Interest
payable on those facilities is expensed as a finance cost in the period to
which it relates.
Debenture loan
The debenture loan is included as a financial liability on the balance sheet
net of the unamortised costs on issue. The cost of issue is recognised in the
group income statement over the life of the debenture. Interest payable to
debenture holders is expensed in the period to which it relates.
Finance lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities arise for those investment properties held under a
leasehold interest and accounted for as investment property. The liability is
calculated as the present value of the minimum lease payments, reducing in
subsequent reporting periods by the apportionment of payments to the lessor.
Lease payments are allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to
achieve a constant financing rate. Contingent rents payable, such as rent
reviews or those related to rental income, are charged as an expense in the
period in which they are incurred.
Interest rate derivatives
The group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge the interest rate risk
associated with the financing of the group's business. No trading in such
financial instruments is undertaken. At each reporting date, these interest
rate derivatives are recognised at their fair value to the business, being the
Net Present Value of the difference between the hedged rate of interest and the
rate of interest for the remaining period of the hedge.
Where a derivative is designated as a hedge of the variability of a highly
probable forecast transaction i.e. an interest payment, the element of the gain
or loss on the derivative that is an effective hedge is recognised directly in
equity. When the forecast transaction subsequently results in the recognition
of a financial asset or a financial liability, the associated gains or losses
that were recognised directly in equity are reclassified into the income
statement in the same period or periods during which the asset acquired or
liability assumed affects the income statement i.e. when interest income or
expense is recognised.
The gain or loss arising from any adjustment to the fair value to the business
calculation is recognised immediately in the group income statement when the
criteria set out in IAS 32 allowing the movements to be shown in equity have
not been met.
Treasury shares
When the group's own equity instruments are repurchased, consideration paid is
deducted from equity as treasury shares until they are cancelled. When such
shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received is
included in equity.
Investment properties
Valuation
Investment properties are those that are held either to earn rental income or
for capital appreciation or both, including those that are undergoing
redevelopment. They are reported on the group balance sheet at fair value,
being the amount for which an investment property could be exchanged between
knowledgeable and willing parties in an arm's length transaction. The valuation
is undertaken by independent valuers who hold recognised and relevant
professional qualifications and have recent experience in the locations and
categories of properties being valued. Surpluses or deficits resulting from
changes in the fair value of investment property are reported in the group
income statement in the period in which they arise.
Capital expenditure
Investment properties are measured initially at cost, including related
transaction costs. Additions to capital expenditure, being costs of a capital
nature, directly attributable to the redevelopment or refurbishment of an
investment property, up to the point of it being completed for its intended
use, are capitalised in the carrying value of that property. The redevelopment
of an existing investment property will remain an investment property measured
at fair value and is not reclassified. Capitalised interest is calculated with
reference to the actual rate payable on borrowings for development purposes, or
for that part of the development costs financed out of borrowings the
capitalised interest is calculated on the basis of the average rate of interest
paid on the relevant debt outstanding.
Disposal
The disposal of investment properties is accounted for on completion of
contract. On disposal, any gain or loss is calculated as the difference between
the net disposal proceeds and the valuation at the last year end plus
subsequent capitalised expenditure in the period.
Depreciation and amortisation
In applying the fair value model to the measurement of investment properties,
depreciation and amortisation are not provided in respect of investment
properties.
Plant and equipment
Other non-current assets, comprising motor vehicles and office equipment, are
depreciated at a rate of between 10% and 33% per annum which is calculated to
write off the cost, less estimated residual value of the assets, on a straight
line basis over their expected useful lives.
Income taxes
The charge for current taxation is based on the results for the year as
adjusted for disallowed or non-assessable items. Tax payable upon realisation
of revaluation gains recognised in prior periods is recorded as a current tax
charge with a release of the associated deferred tax. Deferred tax is the tax
expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the
corresponding tax bases used in the tax computations, and is accounted for
using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are
generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax
assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits
will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be
utilised. In respect of the deferred tax on the revaluation surplus, this is
calculated on the basis of the chargeable gains that would crystallise on the
sale of the investment portfolio as at the reporting date. The calculation
takes account of indexation on the historic cost of properties and any
available capital losses. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are
expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is
realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the group income statement,
except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in
which case it is also dealt with in equity.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash comprises cash in hand and on demand deposits, net of bank overdrafts.
Cash equivalents comprise short-term, highly liquid investments that are
readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an
insignificant risk of changes in value and original maturities of three months
or less.
1. Segmental analysis
Business segments
2008 2007
Property Listed Total Property Listed
Total
investments investments
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Rental income 16,503 - 16,503 13,032 - 13,032
Property overheads (7,545) - (7,545) (7,455) - (7,455)
Net rental income 8,958 - 8,958 5,577 - 5,577
Other income - 298 298 - 144 144
Profit on sale of 897 - 897 2,295 - 2,295
investment properties
Net decrease on (33,125) - (33,125) (25,208) - (25,208)
revaluation
of investment properties
Net decrease on - (1,530) (1,530) - (16) (16)
revaluation of
investments held for
trading
Segment result (23,270) (1,232) (24,502) (17,336) 128 (17,208)
Costs of evaluation - - - (339) - (339)
Goodwill impairment - - - (173) - (173)
Operating (loss)/profit (23,270) (1,232) (24,502) (17,848) 128 (17,720)
Total assets (excluding 258,857 2,330 261,187 304,311 5,113 309,424
investments
in associate and joint
ventures)
Total liabilities (60,930) - (60,930) (57,730) - (57,730)
(excluding borrowings
and current tax)
Borrowings (167,694) - (167,694) (169,116) - (169,116)
Net assets 30,233 2,330 32,563 77,465 5,113 82,578
Current tax liabilities: (2,417) (1,869)
non segmental
Investments in joint 3,593 1,881
ventures: non segmental
(note 11)
Investments in 6,567 6,401
associate: non segmental
(note 12)
Net assets as per 40,306 88,991
balance sheet
Other segment items:
Depreciation 200 - 200 201 - 201
Capital expenditure 19,208 - 19,208 121,952 - 121,952
Rental income
Dragon Group
Property Analytical Total
Retail Share 2007
Ventures 2008
Properties
Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Rental income 16,503 341 203 17,047 16,775 14,260
Direct property expenses (3,137) (12) (26) (3,175) (3,156) (2,840)
Overheads (4,408) (262) (48) (4,718) (4,563) (5,128)
8,958 67 129 9,154 9,056 6,292
Less: attributable to joint (98) (715)
ventures
Net rental income 8,958 5,577
Geographical segments
At net rental income level, the Group operates in the United Kingdom only. The
directors consider it to be the only geographical segment of the business.
2. Loss before taxation
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Loss before taxation is arrived at after charging/(crediting):
Staff costs (note 22) 2,829 3,620
Depreciation on tangible fixed assets - owned assets 200 201
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings 373 334
(Profit)/loss on disposal of motor vehicles and office equipment (2) 9
Amounts payable to the auditors in respect of both audit and
non-audit services
Audit services:
Statutory - company and consolidation 82 78
- subsidiaries 65 47
Further assurance services 11 12
Services related to corporate finance - 55
Other services 8 28
166 220
Staff costs and depreciation of tangible fixed assets are included in
overheads.
3. Listed investments held for trading
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Investment sales 1,603 628
Dividends receivable 141 164
1,744 792
Cost of sales (1,421) (623)
323 169
Attributable overheads (25) (25)
298 144
4. Directors' emoluments
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Emoluments 1,282 1,844
Defined contribution pension scheme contributions 215 271
1,497 2,115
Details of directors' emoluments and share options are set out in the
remuneration report.
5. Finance costs
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Finance income 681 1,583
Finance expenses
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts (9,575) (6,592)
Interest on other loans (2,178) (3,138)
Hedging 1,614 509
Interest on obligations under finance leases (1,989) (798)
Total borrowing costs (12,128) (10,019)
Amounts included in the cost of qualifying assets 162 1,145
(11,966) (8,874)
(11,285) (7,291)
£162,000 interest payable (2007: £1,145,000) has been transferred to the cost
of investment properties (Note 10). The amount transferred represents the cost
of funds forming part of the group's borrowings which were used in financing
major capital projects.
6. Exceptional items
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Costs of evaluation - 339
Goodwill impairment - 173
- 512
The costs of evaluation represent fees incurred by the Company, prior to the
decision being taken that the company should acquire the 50% interest in the
issued share capital of Analytical Properties Holdings Limited (Analytical
Group) not already owned by the Company. Goodwill impairment arose on the
acquisition of the Analytical Group on 25 September 2007. This goodwill arose
primarily as a result of recognising the deferred tax which would arise if the
properties within Analytical Group were realised at the fair valuation applied
on acquisition. This goodwill is immediately written off to the income
statement. The company also acquired £1,829,000 of B loan stock of Analytical
Group at par value.
7. Income tax
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Current tax:
Corporation tax on loss of the period 299 1,700
Adjustments in respect of previous periods 152 21
Total current tax 451 1,721
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences 2,269 711
Revaluation of investment properties (7,726) (12,962)
Revaluation of investments held for trading - (587)
Accelerated capital allowances 397 (267)
Fair value of interest derivatives (5,898) -
Adjustments in respect of previous periods 695 -
Total deferred tax (note 19) (10,263) (13,105)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities (9,812) (11,384)
Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The corporation tax assessed for the year is different from that at the
standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 28.5 per cent (2007:
30 per cent). The differences are explained below:
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (57,266) (23,887)
Taxation on ordinary activities at 28.5 per cent (2007: 30%) (16,321) (7,166)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 8 30
Other differences 5,243 (3,166)
Joint ventures and associate 119 (150)
Deferred tax rate adjustment 292 (953)
Adjustment in respect of prior years 847 21
Tax credit for the period (9,812) (11,384)
The main component of other differences in the reconciliation relates to
indexation allowance of £4.8 million.
Factors that may affect future tax charges:
Based on current capital expenditure plans, the group expects to continue to be
able to claim capital allowances in excess of depreciation in future years, but
at a slightly lower level than in the current year.
Deferred tax provision has been made for gains on revaluing investment
properties. At present it is not envisaged that any tax will become payable in
the foreseeable future.
8. Dividend
2008 2007
Per £'000 Per £'000
share share
Dividends paid during the year relating to the 1.95p 1,485 1.85p 1,410
prior period
Dividends to be paid:
Interim dividend for 2008 paid on 23 January 0.75p 571 0.65p 497
2009
Proposed equivalent final dividend for 2008 1.20p 933 1.30p 988
(0.4p in cash and 0.8p in ordinary shares)
1.95p 1,504 1.95p 1,485
The proposed final dividend will be payable on 3 July 2009 to shareholders
registered at the close of business on 5 June 2009.
9. Losses per share and net assets per share
Losses per share have been calculated as follows: 2008 2007
Loss for the year for the purposes of basic and diluted losses (47,454) (12,503)
per share (£'000)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the 76,172 76,230
purpose of basic losses per share ('000)
Basic losses per share (62.30p) (16.40p)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the 76,172 76,230
purpose of diluted losses per share ('000)
Fully diluted losses per share (62.30p) (16.40p)
Weighted average number of shares in issue is calculated after excluding
treasury shares of 5,873,865 (2007: 6,167,545).
On the basis that the Group has made a loss for the year, there is no dilutive
effect of the outstanding options.
Net assets per share have been calculated as follows:
Shares Shares Net Net
Net Net in in assets assets
Assets Assets per per
issue issue share share
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
£'000 £'000 `000 `000 Pence Pence
Basic
At 31 December 40,306 88,991 76,443 76,149 52.73 116.86
Dilution adjustments for
shares subject to option
agreements:
Issue of outstanding share 40 40 120 120
options
Diluted 40,346 89,031 76,563 76,269 52.70 116.73
10. Property and plant and equipment
Freehold Investment Total Office
Properties equipment
Leasehold and motor
over 50 vehicles
years
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost or valuation at 1 116,206 163,541 279,747 1,554
January 2008
Additions 15,438 3,476 18,914 294
Disposals (15,333) - (15,333) (166)
Decrease in present value - (4,433) (4,433) -
of head leases
Decrease on revaluation (21,039) (12,086) (33,125) -
Cost or valuation at 31 95,272 150,498 245,770 1,682
December 2008
Representing assets stated -
at:
Valuation 95,272 123,260 218,532
Present value of head - 27,238 27,238 -
leases
Cost - - - 1,682
95,272 150,498 245,770 1,682
Depreciation at 1 January - - - 673
2008
Charge for the year - - - 200
Disposals - - - (108)
Depreciation at 31 December - - - 765
2008
Net book value at 1 January 116,206 163,541 279,747 881
2008
Net book value at 31 95,272 150,498 245,770 917
December 2008
Freehold Investment Total Office
Properties equipment
Leasehold and motor
over 50 vehicles
years
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost or valuation at 1 January 109,102 93,026 202,128 1,633
2007
Additions 16,309 7,299 23,608 87
Additions through business 4,875 93,382 98,257 -
combinations
Present value of head leases - 25,771 25,771 -
through business combination
Disposals (4,835) (36,534) (41,369) (166)
Decrease in present value of - (3,440) (3,440) -
head leases
Decrease on revaluation (9,245) (15,963) (25,208) -
Cost or valuation at 31 116,206 163,541 279,747 1,554
December 2007
Representing assets stated at: 116,206 131,870 248,076 -
Valuation:
Present value of head leases - 31,671 31,671 -
Cost - - - 1,554
116,206 163,541 279,747 1,554
Depreciation at 1 January 2007 - - - 600
Charge for the year - - - 201
Disposals - - - (128)
Depreciation at 31 December - - - 673
2007
Net book value at 1 January 109,102 93,026 202,128 1,033
2007
Net book value at 31 December 116,206 163,541 279,747 881
2007
The leasehold over fifty years and freehold properties, excluding the present
value of head leases, were valued as at 31 December 2008 by external
professional firms of chartered surveyors. The valuations were made at open
market value.
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Allsop LLP, Chartered Surveyors 214,855 243,205
Atisreal Limited, Chartered Surveyors 3,677 4,839
Directors' valuation - 32
218,532 248,076
Add: Present value of headleases 27,238 31,671
245,770 279,747
The historical cost of investment properties, including total capitalised
interest of £6,051,000 (2007: £5,889,000) was as follows:
2008 2008 2007 2007
Freehold Leasehold Freehold Leasehold
Over 50 Over 50
years years
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost at 1 January 94,957 127,975 77,402 46,623
Additions (including through 15,438 3,476 21,184 100,681
business combination)
Disposals (14,087) - (3,629) (19,329)
Cost at 31 December 96,308 131,451 94,957 127,975
11. Investment in joint ventures
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Group share of:
Turnover 272 1,228
(Loss)/profit before tax (684) 346
Taxation 96 1,226
(Loss)/profit after tax (588) 1,572
Non-current assets 6,712 1,746
Current assets 1,874 1,578
Current liabilities (1,485) (75)
Non-current liabilities (5,308) (1,368)
Net assets 1,793 1,881
Analytical Ventures Limited (Analytical Ventures) - unlisted property
investment company. During the year a new joint venture was set up with the
Bank of Scotland. The company owns 50 per cent of the issued share capital and
50 per cent of the issued loan stock.
The remaining 50 per cent is owned by the Bank of Scotland. Analytical Ventures
is incorporated and operates in England and Wales and has issued share capital
of 7,558,000 ordinary shares. Analytical Ventures is managed by a board of
directors with neither party having overall control.
Dragon Retail Properties Limited (Dragon) - unlisted property trading and
investment company. The company owns 50 per cent of the issued share capital of
Dragon Retail Properties Limited. The remaining 50 per cent is owned by Bisichi
Mining PLC. Dragon is incorporated and operates in England and Wales and has
issued share capital of 500,000 ordinary shares of £1 each (2007:500,000
ordinary shares of £1 each). Dragon is managed by a board of directors with
neither party having overall control.
(2007: Analytical Properties Holdings Limited (Analytical) - unlisted property
investment company. The company owned 50 per cent of the issued share capital
and 50 per cent of the issued 7.3 per cent loan stock of Analytical Properties
Holdings Limited. The remaining 50 per cent was owned by the Bank of Scotland.
Analytical is incorporated and operates in England and Wales and has issued
share capital of 100 ordinary shares of £1 each (2006:7,558,000 ordinary shares
of £1 each). Analytical was managed by a board of directors with neither party
having overall control. On 25 September 2007 the Company acquired Analytical's
remaining 50 per cent issued share capital and has been treated as a wholly
owned subsidiary from that date.)
Shares in joint ventures: 2008 2007
£'000 £'000
At 1 January 1,881 15,263
Share of (loss)/profit after tax (588) 1,572
Dividend received - (3,234)
Investment valuation 500 -
Transferred to subsidiary undertaking - (11,720)
(88) (13,882)
At 31 December 1,793 1,881
12. Investments in associated company
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Bisichi Mining PLC
- listed mining and property investment company
Group share of:
Turnover 10,828 6,958
Profit/(loss) before tax 929 (191)
Taxation (757) (257)
Profit/(loss) after tax 172 (448)
Non-current assets 9,573 9,937
Current assets 4,574 2,673
Current liabilities (5,929) (3,527)
Non-current liabilities (1,651) (2,682)
Net assets 6,567 6,401
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Shares in associate:
At 1 January 6,401 6,872
Share of profit/(loss) after tax 172 (448)
Equity share options 99 99
Currency translation (26) (13)
Dividend received (131) (109)
166 (471)
At 31 December 6,567 6,401
The company owns 42 per cent (2007: 42 per cent) of the issued share capital of
Bisichi Mining PLC (Bisichi), a company registered in England and Wales.
Bisichi has an issued share capital of 10,451,506 ordinary shares of 10p each,
and its principal countries of operation are the United Kingdom (property
investment) and South Africa (coal mining). Bisichi is an associated
undertaking by virtue that London & Associated Properties PLC has a
participating interest. Bisichi has an independent board of directors which
controls its operating and financial policies.
The market (bid) value of this investment at 31 December 2008 was £6,087,000
(2007: £11,532,000).
13. Held to maturity investments
2008 Unlisted Loan 2007 Unlisted Loan
Total Stock
Shares Stock in Total Shares
joint in joint
ventures ventures
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
At 1 January 5 5 - 1,834 5 1,829
Transferring to subsidiary - - - (1,829) - (1,829)
undertaking
Loan stock 1,800 - 1,800 - - -
At 31 December 1,805 5 1,800 5 5 -
14. Trade and other receivables
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Trade receivables 966 1,533
Amounts due from associate and joint ventures 148 191
Interest rate swap - cash flow hedges - 1,447
Other receivables 474 2,335
Prepayments and accrued income 2,386 1,708
3,974 7,214
The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables
approximates to their fair value.
15. Investments held for trading
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Market bid value of the listed investment 2,330 5,113
portfolio
Unrealised (deficit)/excess of market value (490) 1,812
over cost
Listed investment portfolio at cost 2,820 3,301
All investments are listed on the London Stock Exchange.
16. Trade and other payables
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Trade payables 1,070 927
Amounts owed to joint ventures 1,454 1,437
Other taxation and social security costs 303 344
Other payables 1,124 2,329
Accruals and deferred income 7,317 7,951
11,268 12,988
The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other
17. Borrowings
Current borrowings - amounts falling due within one year
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Bank overdrafts (unsecured) 7,277 6,250
Non-current borrowings - amounts falling due after more
than one year
Term borrowings
Debenture stocks:
£5 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2013 at 11.3 per 5,000 5,000
cent
£1.7 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2016 at 8.67 1,700 1,700
per cent
£5 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2018 at 11.6 per 5,000 5,000
cent
£10 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2022 at 8.109 9,770 9,753
per cent*
21,470 21,453
Term bank loans:
£90 million revolving credit facility repayable in 2011* 69,184 71,694
£70 million term bank loan repayable in 2014* 69,763 69,719
138,947 141,413
160,417 162,866
*The £10 million debenture and bank loans are shown after deduction of
outstanding amortised issue costs.
Interest payable on the term bank loans is variable being based upon the London
inter bank offered rate (LIBOR) plus margin.
First Mortgage Debenture Stocks 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2022, the long term £90
million bank revolving credit facility repayable in September 2011 and the long
term £70 million term bank loan repayable in November 2014 are secured on
specific freehold and leasehold properties which are included in the financial
statements at a value of £212.6 million.
The bank loans and debentures are secured by way of a first charge over the
investment properties in the UK.
The Group's objectives when managing capital are:
- To safeguard the group's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it
may provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders; and
- To provide adequate returns to shareholders by ensuring returns are
commensurate with the risk.
18. Financial instruments
Treasury policy
The Group enters into derivative transactions such as interest rate swaps and
forward exchange contracts in order to help manage the financial risks arising
from the Group's activities. The main risks arising from the Group's financing
structure are interest rate risk, liquidity risk and market price risk. The
policies for managing each of these risks and the principal effects of these
policies on the results are summarised below.
Interest rate risk
Treasury activities take place under procedures and policies approved and
monitored by the Board to minimise the financial risk faced by the Group. The
bank loans are secured by way of a first charge on certain fixed assets. The
rates of interest vary based on LIBOR in the UK.
Sensitivity analysis
As all term debt has been covered by hedged derivatives it is not considered
that there is any material sensitivity for the group to changes in interest
rates.
Liquidity risk
The group's policy is to minimise refinancing risk by balancing its exposure to
interest risk and to refinancing risk. In effect the group seeks to borrow for
as long as possible at the lowest acceptable cost. Efficient treasury
management and strict credit control minimise the costs and risks associated
with this policy which ensures that funds are available to meet commitments as
they fall due. Cash and cash equivalents earn interest at rates based on LIBOR
in the UK. These facilities are considered adequate to meet the group's
anticipated cash flow requirements for the foreseeable future.
The table below analyses the group's financial liabilities into maturity
groupings and also provides
details of the liabilities that bear interest at fixed, floating and
non-interest bearing rates.
Less 2-5 Over 5 2008
than years years Total
1 year
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Bank overdrafts (floating) 7,277 - - 7,277
Debentures (fixed) - 5,000 16,700 21,700
Bank loans (floating)* - 69,429 70,000 139,429
Trade and other payables 11,268 - - 11,268
(non-interest)
18,545 74,429 86,700 179,674
Less 2-5 Over 5 2007
than years years Total
1 year
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Bank overdrafts (floating) 6,250 - - 6,250
Debentures (fixed) - - 21,700 21,700
Bank loans (floating)* - 72,000 70,000 142,000
Trade and other payables 12,988 - - 12,988
(non-interest)
19,238 72,000 91,700 182,938
The group would normally expect that sufficient cash is generated in the
operating cycle to meet the contractual cash flows as disclosed above through
effective cash management.
*All the bank loans are fully hedged with appropriate interest derivatives.
Details of all hedges are shown below.
Market price risk
The group is exposed to market price risk through interest rate and currency
fluctuations.
Credit risk
At the balance sheet date there were no significant concentrations of credit
risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount
of each financial asset in the balance sheet. The group only deposits surplus
cash with well-established financial institutions of high quality credit
standing.
Borrowing facilities
At 31 December 2008 the Group was within its bank borrowing facilities and was
not in breach of any of the covenants. Overdrafts are renewable annually. Term
loan repayments are as set out below. Details of other financial liabilities
are shown in notes 16 and 17.
The group has undrawn facilities of £22,544,000 (2007:£21,000,000) as follows:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Overdrafts 1,973 3,000
Term facilities expiring in two to five years 20,571 18,000
22,544 21,000
Hedge profile
a) There is a hedge to cover part of the £90 million revolving credit facility,
which currently covers the full £69 million drawn. It consists of a 20 year
swap for £35 million with a 7 year call option in favour of the bank, taken out
in November 2007, at 4.76 per cent and a 20 year swap for £40 million with a 7
year call option in favour of the bank, taken out in December 2007, at 4.685
per cent.
b) There is a hedge to cover the £70 million term bank loan drawn. It consists
of a 20 year swap for £70 million with a 7 year call option in favour of the
bank, taken out in November 2007, at 4.76 per cent.
At the year end the amount recognised was £14,146,000 deficit (2007:£1,001,000
surplus) being the estimated financial effect of the fair value to the business
of these hedging instruments less the deferred tax thereon.
The Directors have estimated the financial effect of the fair value to the
business of these hedging instruments. This has been calculated as the Net
Present Value of the difference between the 19 year interest rate, which was
3.73 per cent at 31 December 2008 against the rate payable under the specific
hedge. This has given a liability at 31 December 2008 of £19,616,000 as shown
in the balance sheet. The banks own initial quotations at 31 December 2008 to
close each of the hedges were £28,010,000.
Since the end of the year the long term 19 year has increased and at 7 April
2009 it was 4.12 per cent. This rate would give a fair value of £11,623,000, a
decrease in the liability of £7,993,000. The banks quote to close the hedges at
the same date would have been £21.4 million, a decrease of £6.6 million. It is
not the company's intention to crystallise the derivatives.
Under IAS 39 the hedges are not deemed to be eligible for hedge accounting, as
the banks have an option to cancel the hedge in January 2015 even though this
is after the expiry of the term loans and the level of the hedges closely
equates to the amount of the loans outstanding.
Any movement in the value of the hedges has therefore to be charged directly to
the Consolidated Income Statement.
Capital structure
The group sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk. It ensures that the
capital structure is commensurate to the economic conditions and risk
characteristics to the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the
capital structure, the group may adjust the capital structure, vary the amount
of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new
shares or sell assets to reduce debt.
The group considers its capital to include share capital, share premium,
capital redemption reserve, translation reserve and retained earnings, but
excluding the fair value reserve and the interest rate derivatives.
Consistently with others in the industry, the group monitors its capital by its
debt to equity ratio (gearing levels). This is calculated as the net debt
(loans less cash and cash equivalents) as a percentage of the equity. During
2008 this increased to 266.2 per cent (2007: 173.5 per cent) which was
calculated as follows:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Total debt 167,694 169,116
Less cash and cash equivalents (8,191) (16,464)
Net debt 159,503 152,652
Total equity 59,922 87,990
266.2% 173.5%
The gearing increased primarily due to the fall in the asset values in the
year. All the debt, apart from the overdrafts, is at fixed rates of interest as
shown in notes 17 and 18. The group does not have any externally imposed
capital requirements.
Financial assets
Financial assets are disclosed in notes 13, 14 and 15 and above.
The group's principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and
other receivables and investments. The group has no significant concentration
of credit risk as exposure is spread over a large number of counterparties and
customers. The credit risk in liquid funds and derivative financial instruments
is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings
assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The group's credit risk is
primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the
balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the
group's management based on prior experience and the current economic
environment.
Financial assets maturity
Cash and cash equivalents all have a maturity of less than three months.
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Cash at bank and in hand 8,191 16,464
These funds are primarily invested in short term bank deposits maturing within
one year bearing interest at the bank's variable rates. (2007: £9.5 million of
the cash was secured against the 2013, 2016 and 2018 First Mortgage
Debentures).
Financial liabilities maturity
Repayment of borrowings
Bank loans and overdrafts:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Repayable on demand or within one year 7,277 6,250
Repayable between two and five years 69,184 71,694
Repayable after more than five years 69,763 69,719
146,224 147,663
Debentures:
Repayable between two and five years 5,000 -
Repayable in more than five years 16,470 21,453
167,694 169,116
Certain borrowing agreements contain financial and other conditions that if
contravened by the group, could alter the repayment profile.
Group undrawn banking facilities
which expire within one year 1,973 3,000
which expire in two to five years 20,571 18,000
22,544 21,000
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Fixed rate borrowings 21,700 21,700
Floating rate borrowings
- Subject to interest rate swap 145,000 145,000
- Not hedged 1,706 3,250
168,406 169,950
Average fixed interest rate 9.69% 9.69%
Weighted average swapped interest rate 5.59% 5.59%
Weighted average cost of debt on overdrafts, 6.10% 6.14%
bank loans and debentures
Average period for which borrowing rate is fixed 10.5 years 11.5 years
Average period for which borrowing rate is 18.9 years 19.9 years
swapped
The swapped interest rate have calls by the bank 5.9 years 6.9 years
The group's floating rate debt bears interest based on LIBOR for the term bank
loans and Bank base rate for the overdrafts.
Total financial assets and liabilities
The group's financial assets and liabilities and their fair values are as
follows:
2008 Fair 2007
Fair Carrying
Value Carrying
value value
value
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents 8,191 8,191 16,464 16,464
Financial assets - 2,330 2,330 5,113 5,113
investments held for trading
Other assets 3,974 3,974 5,767 5,767
Derivative (liabilities)/ (19,616) (19,616) 1,447 1,447
assets
Bank overdrafts (7,277) (7,277) (6,250) (6,250)
Bank loans (139,429) (138,947) (142,000) (141,413)
Present value of head leases (27,238) (27,238) (31,671) (31,671)
on properties
Other liabilities (11,268) (11,268) (12,988) (12,988)
Before debentures (190,333) (189,851) (164,118) (163,531)
Fair value of debenture stocks
Fair value of the Fair 2008 2007
Group's debenture Book
liabilities: value Fair value Fair Value
value
Adjustment adjustment
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Debenture stocks 21,700 29,279 (7,579) (4,126)
Tax at 28 per cent (2007: 30 per 2,122 1,238
cent)
Post tax fair value adjustment (5,457) (2,888)
Post tax fair value adjustment - (9.91)p (3.79)p
basic pence per share
There is no material difference in respect of other financial liabilities or
any financial assets.
The fair values were calculated by the directors as at 31 December 2008 and
reflect the replacement value of the financial instruments used to manage the
Group's exposure to adverse rate movements.
The fair values of the debentures are based on the net present value at the
relevant gilt interest rate of the future payments of interest on the
debentures. The bank loans and overdrafts are at variable rates and there is no
material difference between book values and fair values.
19. Deferred tax
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Balance at 1 January 13,071 22,223
Deferred tax on acquisition of subsidiary - 3,566
undertakings
Transfer to profit and loss account (10,263) (13,105)
Transfer to reserves - 387
Balance at 31 December 2,808 13,071
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
The deferred tax balance comprises the
following:
Revaluation of investment properties 5,075 12,801
Accelerated capital allowances 1,852 1,306
Fair value of interest derivatives (5,493) -
Short-term timing differences 1,374 208
2,808 14,315
Loss relief - (1,244)
Provision at end of period 2,808 13,071
The directors consider the temporary differences arising in connection with the
interests in associate and joint ventures are insignificant. There is no time
limit in respect of the group tax loss relief.
20. Share capital
Number of Number of 2008 2007
ordinary ordinary
10p shares 10p shares
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Authorised: Ordinary 110,000,000 110,000,000 11,000 11,000
shares of 10p each
Allotted, issued and fully 82,316,972 82,316,972 8,232 8,232
paid
Less: held in Treasury (5,873,865) (6,167,545) (588) (617)
(see below)
"Issued share capital" for 76,443,107 76,149,427 7,644 7,615
reporting purposes
The company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed
income.
Treasury shares
Number of ordinary 10p Cost/issue value
shares
Price. 2008 2007 2008 2007
excl.
Date costs £'000 £'000
Shares held in Treasury at 6,167,545 6,088,355 6,549 6,533
1 January
Market purchases (Oct 07 - 25,000 25
100.00p)
Market purchases (Oct 07 - 49,030 51
103.51p)
Issued to meet directors Nov-08 107.25p (293,680) (244,840) (312) (262)
and staff bonuses
(Dec 07 - 107.25p)
Market purchases (Dec 07 - 250,000 202
80.00p)
Shares held in Treasury at 5,873,865 6,167,545 6,237 6,549
31 December
Share Option Schemes
Employees' share option scheme (Approved scheme)
At 31 December 2008 the following options to subscribe for ordinary shares were
outstanding, issued under the terms of the Employees' Share Option Scheme:
Number of shares Date of grant Option Price Normal Exercise Date
70,000 14 October 2003 39.5p 14 October 2006 to 13
October 2013
This share option scheme was approved by members in 1986, and has been approved
by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
There are no performance criteria for the exercise of options under the
Approved scheme, as this was set up before such requirements were considered to
be necessary.
A summary of the shares allocated and options issued under the scheme up to 31
December 2008 is as follows:
Changes during the year
At 1 Options Options Options At
January lapsed
2008 Exercised granted 31
December
2008
Shares issued to date 2,337,604 - - - 2,337,604
Options granted which have not been 70,000 - - - 70,000
exercised
Shares allocated over which options 1,549,955 - - - 1,549,955
have not been granted
Total shares allocated for issue to 3,957,559 - - - 3,957,559
employees under the scheme
Non-approved Executive Share Option Scheme (Unapproved scheme)
A share option scheme known as the "Non-approved Executive Share Option Scheme"
which does not have HMRC approval was set up during 2000. At 31 December 2008
the following options to subscribe for ordinary shares were outstanding, issued
under the terms of the scheme:
Number of shares Date of Grant Option Normal Exercise Date
Price
50,000 8 March 1999 25.66p 8 March 2002 - 7 March
2009
The exercise of options under the Unapproved scheme is subject to the
satisfaction of objective performance conditions specified by the remuneration
committee which conforms to institutional shareholder guidelines and best
practice provisions.
A summary of the shares allocated and options issued under the scheme up to 31
December 2008 is as follows:
Changes during year
Changes during the year
At 1 Options Options Options At
January lapsed
2008 Exercised granted 31
December
2008
Shares issued to date 400,000 - - - 400,000
Options granted which have not 50,000 - - - 50,000
been exercised
Shares allocated over which 550,000 - - - 550,000
options have not been granted
Total shares allocated for issue 1,000,000 - - - 1,000,000
to employees under the scheme
On 12 February 2009 the 50,000 share options were exercised at the option price
of 25.66 pence.
21. Related party transactions
Cost Amounts Owed Cash
recharged to to (by) advanced to
(by) related related party (by) related
party party
£'000 £'000
£'000
Related party:
Analytical Ventures Limited
Current Account 37 1 -
Dragon Retail Properties
Limited
Current account (1) (24) -
Loan account (80) (1,430) 7
Bisichi Mining PLC
Current account 355 (i) 147 -
Directors and key management
M A Heller and J A Heller 8 (ii) - -
H D Goldring (Delmore Asset (17) (iii) - -
Management Limited)
Totals at 31 December 2008 302 (1,306) 7
Totals at 31 December 2007 294 (1,247) 162
Nature of costs recharged - (i) Management fees (ii) Property management fees
(iii) Portfolio management fee.
The related party companies above are the associate and joint ventures and are
treated as non current asset investments - details are shown in Note 11 and 12.
Analytical Ventures Limited (joint venture)
Analytical Ventures Limited (Analytical Ventures) is owned 50 per cent by the
company and 50 per cent by the Bank of Scotland.
Dragon Retail Properties Limited (joint venture)
Dragon Retail Properties Limited (Dragon) is owned 50 per cent by the company,
and 50 per cent by Bisichi Mining PLC.
Dragon had surplus cash which was deposited equally with London & Associated
Properties PLC and Bisichi Mining PLC.
The company provides office premises, property management, general management,
accounting and administration services for both joint ventures.
Bisichi Mining PLC (associate)
The company provides office premises, property management, general management,
accounting and administration services for Bisichi Mining PLC and its
subsidiaries.
Directors
London & Associated Properties PLC provides office premises, property
management, general management, accounting and administration services for a
number of private property companies in which M A Heller and J A Heller have an
interest. Under an agreement with M A Heller no charge is made for these
services on the basis that he reduces by an equivalent amount the charge for
his services to London & Associated Properties PLC. The board estimates that
the value of these services, if supplied to a third party, would have been £
275,000 for the year (2007: £275,000).
The companies for which services are provided are: Barmik Properties Limited,
Cawgate Limited, Clerewell Limited, Cloathgate Limited, Ken-Crav Investments
Limited, London & South Yorkshire Securities Limited, Metroc Limited, Penrith
Retail Limited, Shop.com Limited, South Yorkshire Property Trust Limited,
Wasdon Investments Limited, Wasdon (Dover) Limited, and Wasdon (Leeds) Limited.
In addition the company received management fees of £40,000 (2007: £40,000) for
work done for two charitable foundations,
the Michael & Morven Heller Charitable Foundation and the Simon Heller
Charitable Trust.
Delmore Asset Management Limited (Delmore) is a company in which H D Goldring
is a majority shareholder and director. Delmore provides consultancy services
to the company on an invoiced fee basis.
M A Heller is a director of Bisichi Mining PLC, the associated company and
received a salary of £75,000 (2007: £75,000) for services.
The directors are considered to be the only key management personnel and their
remunerations including employers national insurance for the year was £
1,656,000 (2007: £2,346,000). All other disclosures required including interest
in share options in respect of those directors are included within the
remuneration report.
22. Employees
The average number of employees, including directors, of the group during the
year involved in management and administration was 43 (2007: 48).
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Salaries and other costs 2,113 2,773
Social security costs 280 376
Pension costs 416 471
2,829 3,620
23. Capital Commitments
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Commitments to capital expenditure contracted for at - 6,755
the year end
The group's share of capital commitments of joint ventures at the year end
amounted to £Nil (2007: £Nil).
24. Commitments under operating leases
Operating leases
At 31 December 2008 the group has total of future minimum commitments under
non-cancellable operating leases on land and buildings as follows:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Within one year 392 334
In the second to fifth years inclusive 1,566 1,336
After five years 325 612
2,283 2,282
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the group for its office
premises.
The leases are for an average term of 7 years and rentals are fixed for an
average of one year.
Minimum lease Present value of minimum
payments lease payments
2008 2007 2008 2007
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Present value of head leases
on properties
Accounts payable under
finance leases:
Within one year 1,874 1,847 1,874 1,847
In the second to fifth years 7,497 7,389 6,925 6,908
inclusive
After five years 236,019 233,762 18,439 22,916
245,390 242,998 27,238 31,671
Future finance charges on (218,152) (211,327) - -
finance leases
Present value of finance 27,238 31,671 27,238 31,671
lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities are in respect of leased investment property. Many
leases provide for contingent rent in addition to the rents above, usually a
proportion of rental income.
Finance lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased
asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.
The Group leases out its investment properties to tenants under operating
leases. The future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under non-cancellable
operating leases are as follows:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Within one year 12,842 10,691
In the second to fifth years inclusive 46,793 38,272
After five years 65,613 55,734
125,248 104,697
25. Contingent Liabilities
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2008 (2007: £Nil).
26. Company financial statements
Company balance sheets at 31 December 2008
Notes 2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 26(3) 98,101 103,151
Other investments:
Associated company 26(4) 358 358
Subsidiaries and others 26(4) 46,400 44,490
26(4) 46,758 44,848
144,859 147,999
Current assets
Debtors 26(5) 38,970 36,555
Investments 26(6) 2,330 5,113
Bank balances 5,849 12,334
47,149 54,002
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year 26(7) (39,387) (22,158)
Net current assets 7,762 31,844
Total assets less current liabilities 152,621 179,843
Creditors
Amounts falling due after more than one 26(8) (100,580) (93,147)
year
Provisions for liabilities and charges 26(9) - (1,337)
Net assets 52,041 85,359
Capital and reserves
Share capital 26(10) 8,232 8,232
Share premium account 26(11) 5,236 5,236
Capital redemption reserve 26(11) 47 47
Revaluation reserve 26(11) 10,549 31,968
Fair value reserve - interest rate 26(11) - 688
derivative
Treasury shares 26(10) (6,237) (6,549)
Retained earnings 26(11) 34,214 45,737
Shareholders' funds 52,041 85,359
These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and
authorised for issue on 17 April 2009 and signed on its behalf by:
M A Heller R J Corry
Director Director
26.1. Company accounting policies
The following are the main accounting policies of the company:
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention as modified to include the revaluation of freehold and leasehold
properties and fair value adjustments in respect of current asset investments
and interest rate hedges and in accordance with applicable accounting
standards. All accounting policies applied are consistent with those of prior
periods.
Investment properties are accounted for in accordance with SSAP 19, "Accounting
for Investment Properties", which provides that these should not be subject to
periodic depreciation charges, but should be shown at open market value. This
is contrary to the Companies Act 1985 which states that, subject to any
provision for depreciation or diminution in value, fixed assets are normally to
be stated at purchase price or production cost. Current cost accounting or the
revaluation of specific assets to market value, as determined at the date of
their last valuation, is also permitted.
The treatment of investment properties under the Companies Act 1985 does not
give a true and fair view as these assets are not held for consumption in the
business but as investments, the disposal of which would not materially affect
any manufacturing or trading activities of the enterprise. In such a case it is
the current value of these investments, and changes in that current value,
which are of prime importance. Consequently, for the proper appreciation of the
financial position, the accounting treatment required by SSAP 19 is considered
appropriate for investment properties. Details of the current value and
historical cost information for investment properties are set out in note 26
(3).Depreciation or amortisation is only one of the many factors reflected in
the annual revaluation and the amount that might otherwise have been shown
cannot be separately identified or quantified.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Further
details of which are contained in the Directors' report.
Revenue
Revenue comprises rental income, listed investment sales, dividends and other
income. The profit or loss on disposal of properties is recognised on
completion of sale.
Dividends receivable
Dividends are credited to the profit and loss account when the dividend is
received.
Tangible fixed assets
a) Investment properties
An external professional valuation of investment properties is carried out
every year. Properties professionally valued by Chartered Surveyors are on an
existing use open market value basis, in accordance with the Practice
Statements contained within the RICS valuation standards 2008 prepared by the
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The cost of improvements includes attributable interest.
b) Other tangible fixed assets
Other tangible fixed assets are stated at historical cost. Depreciation is
provided on all other tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write each
asset down to its estimated residual value evenly over its expected useful
life. The rates generally used are - office equipment - 10 to 33 per cent per
annum, and motor cars - 20 per cent per annum, on a straight line basis.
Investments
Long term investments are described as participating interests and are
classified as fixed assets. Short term investments are classified as current
assets.
a) Investments held as fixed assets:
These comprise investments in subsidiaries and investments in Analytical
Properties Holdings Limited and Dragon Retail Properties Limited (unlisted
joint ventures), Bisichi Mining PLC (listed associate), and in unlisted
companies which are all held for the long term. Provision is made for any
impairment in the value of fixed asset investments. Analytical Properties
Holdings Limited's remaining 50 per cent issued share capital was acquired on
25 September 2007, and is since treated as a wholly owned subsidiary.
b) Investments held as current assets:
Investments held for trading are included in current assets and are revalued to
fair value. For listed investments, fair value is the bid market listed value
at the balance sheet date. Realised and unrealised gains or losses arising from
changes in fair value are included in the income statement of the period in
which they arise.
Financial Instruments
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bank loans and overdrafts are included in creditors on the company balance
sheet at the amounts drawn on the particular facilities. Interest payable on
those facilities is expensed as a finance cost in the period to which it
relates.
Interest rate derivatives
The company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge the interest rate
risk associated with the financing of the company's business. No trading in
such financial instruments is undertaken. At each reporting date, these
interest rate derivatives are recognised at their fair value to the business,
being the Net Present Values of the difference between the hedged rate of
interest and the rate of interest for the remaining period of the hedge.
Where a derivative is designated as a hedge of the variability of a highly
probable forecast transaction i.e. an interest payment, the element of the gain
or loss on the derivative that is an effective hedge is recognised directly in
equity. When the forecast transaction subsequently results in the recognition
of a financial asset or a financial liability, the associated gains or losses
that were recognised directly in equity are reclassified into the income
statement in the same period or periods during which the asset acquired or
liability assumed affects the income statement i.e. when interest income or
expense is recognised.
The gain or loss arising from any adjustment to the fair value to the business
is recognised in the income statement.
Debtors
Debtors do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as
reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated recoverable amounts.
Creditors
Creditors are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value.
Joint ventures
Investments in joint ventures, being those entities over whose activities the
group has joint control as established by contractual agreement, are included
at cost.
Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have
originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or
events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to
pay less tax in the future have occurred at the balance sheet date. Timing
differences are differences between the company's taxable profits and its
results as stated in the financial statements. Deferred tax is measured at the
average tax rates which are expected to apply in the periods in which timing
differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been
enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is
measured on a non-discounted basis.
Leased assets and obligations
All leases are "Operating Leases" and the annual rentals are charged to the
profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the lease term. Rent free
periods or other incentives received for entering into a lease are accounted
for over the period of the lease so as to spread the benefit received over the
lease term.
Retirement benefits
For defined contribution schemes the amount charged to the profit and loss
account in respect of pension costs and other post retirement benefits is the
contributions payable for the year. Differences between contributions payable
in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either prepayments or
accruals at the balance sheet date.
26.2. (Loss)/profit for the financial year
The company's loss for the year was £11,212,000 (profit 2007: £1,334,000). In
accordance with the exemption conferred by Section 230 of the Companies Act
1985, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account.
26.3. Tangible assets
Investment Properties
Total Freehold Long Office
leasehold Equipment
and motor
vehicles
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost or valuation at 1 103,890 73,341 28,950 1,599
January 2008
Additions 16,772 14,154 2,324 294
Disposals (996) (827) - (169)
Decrease on revaluation (20,750) (16,136) (4,614) -
Cost or valuation at 31 98,916 70,532 26,660 1,724
December 2008
Representing assets stated
at:
Valuation 97,192 70,532 26,660 -
Cost 1,724 - - 1,724
98,916 70,532 26,660 1,724
Depreciation at 1 January 739 - - 739
2008
Charge for the year 188 - - 188
Disposals (112) - - (112)
Depreciation at 31 December 815 - - 815
2008
Net book value at 1 January 103,151 73,341 28,950 860
2008
Net book value at 31 98,101 70,532 26,660 909
December 2008
The freehold and long leasehold properties were valued as at 31 December 2008
by external professional firms of chartered surveyors. The valuations were made
at open market value on the basis of existing use. The decrease in book value
was transferred to revaluation reserve.
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Allsop LLP, Chartered Surveyors 93,515 97,420
Atisreal Limited, Chartered Surveyors 3,677 4,839
Directors' valuation - 32
97,192 102,291
The historical cost of investment properties, including total capitalised
interest of £1,222,000 (2007: £1,060,000) was as follows:
Freehold Long Leasehold
£'000 £'000
Cost at 1 January 2008 54,530 15,756
Additions 14,154 2,324
Disposals (158) -
Cost at 31 December 2008 68,526 18,080
Long leasehold properties are held on leases with an unexpired term of more
than fifty years at the balance sheet date.
26.4. Other investments
Shares in Loan stock Shares Loan Shares in Unlisted
Total in in stock
subsidiary subsidiary in joint associate shares
joint
companies companies ventures
ventures
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 1 January 2008 44,848 40,663 3,658 164 - 358 5
Additions 2,300 - - 500 1,800 - -
Impairment (390) - - (390) - - -
At 31 December 46,758 40,663 3,658 274 1,800 358 5
2008
Subsidiary companies
The company owns 100 per cent of the ordinary share capital of the following
companies, all of which are registered in England and Wales:
Activity % Held by % Held by
company group
Analytical Investments Dormant 100 100
Limited
London & African Investments Dormant 100 100
London & Associated Dormant 100 100
Securities Limited
London & Associated Limited Dormant 100 100
LAP Ocean Holdings Limited Property investment 100 100
APL Ocean Limited Property investment - 100
LAP Ocean Limited Property investment - 100
Antiquarius Limited Property investment - 100
LAP Antiques Centres Limited Property letting - 100
Chenil House Limited Property investment - 100
Brixton Village Limited Property investment - 100
Market Row Limited Property investment - 100
Ski Investments Limited Property investment - 100
LAP Estates Limited Property investment - 100
Analytical Properties Property investment 100 100
Holdings Limited
Analytical Properties Limited Property investment - 100
Analytical Properties (St Property investment - 100
Helens)
Analytical Portfolios Limited Dormant - 100
In the opinion of the directors the value of the investment in subsidiaries is
not less than the amount shown in these financial statements.
Details of the associate and joint ventures are set out in notes 11 and 12.
26.5. Debtors
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Trade debtors 760 578
Amounts due from subsidiary companies 35,640 34,086
Amounts due from associate and joint ventures 148 191
Deferred tax asset 1,350 -
Interest rate swap - cash flow hedges - 956
Other debtors 92 40
Prepayments and accrued income 980 704
38,970 36,555
26.6. Investments
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Market value of the listed investment 2,330 5,113
portfolio
Unrealised (deficit)/excess of market value (490) 1,812
over cost
Listed investment portfolio at cost 2,820 3,301
All investments are listed on the London Stock Exchange.
26.7. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Bank overdrafts (unsecured) 7,277 6,250
Amounts owed to subsidiary companies 22,817 7,582
Amounts owed to joint ventures 1,454 1,438
Corporation tax 1,824 1,586
Other taxation and social security costs 282 324
Other creditors 756 466
Accruals and deferred income 4,977 4,512
39,387 22,158
26.8. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Interest rate derivatives 9,926 -
Term Debenture stocks:
£5 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2013 5,000 5,000
at 11.3 per cent
£1.7 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 1,700 1,700
2016 at 8.67 per cent
£5 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2018 5,000 5,000
at 11.6 per cent
£10 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 9,770 9,753
2022 at 8.109 per cent*
21,470 21,453
Term bank loans:
Repayable after more than two years* 69,184 71,694
100,580 93,147
*The £10 million debenture and bank loans are shown after deduction of
un-amortised issue costs.
Details of terms and security of overdrafts, loans and debentures are set out
in note 17.
Repayment of borrowings:
Bank loans and overdrafts:
Repayable within one year 7,277 6,250
Repayable between two and three years 69,184 -
Repayable between three and five years - 71,694
76,461 77,944
Debentures:
Repayable between three and five years 5,000 -
Repayable in more than five years 16,470 21,453
97,931 99,397
Hedge profile
There is a hedge to cover part of the £90 million revolving credit facility,
which currently covers the full £69 million drawn.
It consists of a 20 year swap for £35 million with a 7 year call option in
favour of the bank, taken out in November 2007, at 4.76 per cent and a 20 year
swap for £40 million with a 7 year call option in favour of the bank, taken out
in December 2007, at 4.685 per cent.
At the year end the amount recognised was £7,147,000 deficit (2007: £688,000
surplus) being the estimated financial effect of the fair value to the business
of these hedging instruments less the deferred tax thereon.
The Directors have estimated the financial effect of the fair value to the
business of these hedging instruments. This has been calculated as the Net
Present Value of the difference between the 19 year interest rate , which was
3.73 per cent at 31 December 2008 against the rate payable under the specific
hedge. This has given a liability at 31 December 2008 of £9,926,000 as shown in
the balance sheet. The banks own initial quotations at 31 December 2008 to
close each of the hedges were £14,182,000.
Since the end of the year the long term 19 year interest rate has increased and
at 7 April 2009 it was 4.12 per cent. This rate would give a fair value of £
5,798,000, a decrease in the liability of £4,128,000. The banks quote to close
the hedges at the same date would have been £11.1 million, a decrease of £3.1
million. It is not the company's intention to crystallise the derivatives.
The hedges arenot deemed to be eligible for hedge accounting, as the banks have
an option to cancel the hedge in January 2015, even though this is after the
expiry of the term loans and the level of the hedges closely equate to the
amount of the loans outstanding. Any movement in the value of the hedges has
therefore to be charged directly to the Income Statement.
Liquidity
The table below analyses the company's financial liabilities into maturity
groupings and also provides details of the liabilities that bear interest at
fixed, floating and non-interest bearing rates.
Less than Over 2008
1 year 2-5 years 5 years Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Bank overdrafts (floating) 7,277 - - 7,277
Debentures (fixed) - 5,000 16,700 21,700
Bank loans (floating)* - 69,429 - 69,429
Trade and other payables
(non-interest) 32,110 - - 32,110
39,387 74,429 16,700 130,516
Less than Over 2007
1 year 2-5 years 5 years Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Bank overdrafts (floating) 6,250 - - 6,250
Debentures (fixed) - - 21,700 21,700
Bank loans (floating)* - 72,000 - 72,000
Trade and other payables
(non-interest) 15,908 - - 15,908
22,158 72,000 21,700 115,858
The company would normally expect that sufficient cash is generated in the operating cycle to meet the contractual cash flows as disclosed above through effective cash management.
*The bank loans are fully hedged interest derivatives. Details of the hedges are shown above.
Total financial assets and liabilities
The company’s financial assets and liabilities and their fair values are as follows:
2008 2007
Fair Carrying Fair Carrying
Value value value value
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cash and cash equivalents 5,849 5,849 12,334 12,334
Investments 2,330 2,330 5,113 5,113
Derivative assets - - 956 956
Other assets 38,970 38,970 35,599 35,599
Bank overdrafts (7,277) (7,277) (6,250) (6,250)
Bank loans (69,429) (69,184) (72,000) (71,694)
Derivative liabilities (9,926) (9,926) - -
Other liabilities (32,110) (32,110) (15,908) (15,908)
Before debentures (71,593) (71,348) (40,156) (39,850)
Additional details of borrowings and financial instruments are set out in notes 17 and 18.
26.9. Provisions for liabilities and charges
2008 2007
£'000 £’000
Deferred Taxation
Balance at 1 January 1,337 2,053
Transfer to profit and loss account (2,687) (716)
Balance at 31 December (1,350) 1,337
No provision has been made for the approximate taxation liability at 28 per cent (2007: 28 per cent) of £649,000 (2007: £4,484,000) which would arise if the investment properties were sold at the stated valuation.
The deferred tax balance comprises the following:
Accelerated capital allowances 1,184 1,059
Fair value of interest derivatives (2,779) 268
Short-term timing differences 245 10
Provision at end of period (1,350) 1,337
26.10. Share capital
Details of share capital, treasury shares and share options are set out in note
20.
26.11. Reserves
Share Capital Revaluation Fair Retained
Premium redemption reserve value
Account reserve Earnings
reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Balance at 1 January 5,236 47 31,968 688 45,737
2008
Decrease on valuation - - (20,750) - -
of investment properties
Retained loss for year - - - - (11,212)
Dividends paid in year - - - - (1,485)
Loss on disposal of - - - - (183)
Treasury Shares
Reclassification of fair - - - (688) 688
value of interest
derivatives (net of
deferred tax)
Transfer of realised - - (669) - 669
revaluation profit
Balance at 31 December 5,236 47 10,549 - 34,214
2008
26.12. Related party transactions
Details of related party transactions are given in note 21.
As provided under Financial Reporting Standard 8: Related Party Disclosures,
the company has taken advantage of the exemption from disclosing transactions
with other group companies.
26.13. Capital commitments
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Commitments to capital expenditure contracted for at the - 4,693
year end
26.14. Commitments under operating leases
At 31 December 2008 the company had annual commitments under non-cancellable
operating leases on land and buildings as follows:
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Expiring in more than five years 392 334
In addition, the company has an annual commitment to pay ground rents on its
leasehold investment properties which amount to £326,000 (2007: £294,000), the
leases on which expire in more than fifty years.
26.15. Contingent liabilities
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2008 (2007: £Nil).
Five year financial summary
IFRS IFRS IFRS IFRS IFRS
Restated
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
£m £m £m £m £m
Portfolio size
Investment properties-group^ 219 248 193 117 108
Investment properties-joint 3 3 91 140 127
ventures
Investment 12 15 17 15 15
properties-associate
234 266 301 272 250
Portfolio activity £m £m £m £m £m
Acquisitions 9.18 112.71 50.70 2.72 8.38
Disposals at book value (15.33) (41.37) (1.62) (6.70) (5.05)
Capital Expenditure 9.73 9.15 5.13 3.34 2.16
3.58 80.49 54.21 (0.64) 5.49
Consolidated income statement £m £m £m £m £m
Rental income - Group and 16.77 14.26 11.84 12.39 12.96
share of joint ventures
Less: attributable to joint (0.27) (1.23) (3.95) (4.52) (5.20)
venture partners
Group rental income 16.50 13.03 7.89 7.87 7.76
(Loss)/profit before interest (24.91) (16.59) 21.76 21.48 21.98
and tax
(Loss)/profit before tax (57.27) (23.89) 18.32 17.89 18.62
Taxation (9.81) (11.38) 3.11 3.04 2.00
(Loss)/profit attributable to (47.45) (12.50) 15.22 14.85 16.62
shareholders
(Loss)/earnings per share - (62.30p) (16.40p) 20.00p 18.83p 20.34p
basic
(Loss)/earnings per share - (62.30p) (16.40p) 19.97p 18.79p 20.23p
fully diluted
Dividend per share 1.95p* 1.95p 1.85p 1.725p 1.65p
Consolidated balance sheet £m £m £m £m £m
Shareholders funds 40.30 88.99 101.86 88.34 80.60
Net borrowings 157.17 147.54 86.12 44.14 34.33
Net gearing 390.01% 165.79% 84.55% 49.97% 42.59%
Net assets per share - basic 52.73p 116.86p 133.62p 116.04p 98.82p
- fully diluted 52.70p 116.73p 133.47p 115.88p 98.14p
Consolidated cash flow £m £m £m £m £m
statement
Net cash inflow from 12.02 3.97 3.44 3.88 2.60
operating activities
Capital investment and (6.09) 9.84 (26.86) 0.69 (5.36)
financial investment
Notes: ^Excluding the present value of head leases
*Equivalent dividend includes new issue shares equal to 0.8p